Vittoria Cottage written by D.E. Stevenson performed by Lesley Mackie on Audio CD (Unabridged)

At Vittoria Cottage in the village of Ashbridge, since becoming widowed, Caroline Dering has been content to channel her life into raising her children - sanguine, humorous James; pretty, proper Leda; and energetic, impulsive Bobbie. Then the mysterious Robert Shepperton arrives in the village.

At first, Caroline's gentle heart is simply touched by his obvious unhappiness. Gradually, she finds her sympathy transforming into an immense tenderness, and then into love.

But a visit from her younger sister Harriet Fane, the glamorous and celebrated stage actress and socialite, throws things into turmoil - because she also sets her cap at Mr. Shepperton...