Venetia hopes to further her career by presenting herself as the widowed Mrs. Jones, until Mr. Jones reappears in the flesh. However, they become targets of a killer, hunting for a special formula for enhancing psychic abilities, from the Arcane House.

The Earl of St. Merryn thinks he has found a suitable paid companion to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks when he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge. However, things do not seem quite right to her at St. Merryn's gloomy home.

When private investigator Tobias March teams up with Lavinia Lake, intrigue and romance become intertwined as they seek a killer before he finds them.

"The Arcane Society was born in turmoil, when the friendship of its two founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Nicholas Winters' efforts led to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp. Each generation, the Winters man who inherits it is destined to develop multiple talents--and the curse of madness. Plagued by hallucinations and nightmares, the notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he has been struck with the...