He was content as a soldier; now, unexpectedly, he's an earl.

Can a career soldier, an officer in the British Army with the humble surname of Smith, successfully manage a prosperous earldom he unexpectedly inherits?

Gabriel makes his first mistake when he falls in love with his predecessor's beautiful young widow, Lady Emma Crompton. He faces a second hurdle—he is slowly being poisoned with arsenic. A double mystery unfolds when it comes to light Lady Emma's deceased husband was also suffering from arsenic poisoning.

Is there a curse on the Earls of Farnworth or are there other forces at work that will rob Gabe and Emma of their chance to find true love?

Contains mature themes.