A historical debut novel about a young woman in turn-of-the-century England who finds love and independence at a seashore resort. As Betsy and Mr. Jones grow closer, she begins to dream that she might finally have found her place in the world--but when her past returns to haunt her, she must fight for everything she's worked for.

All Betsey Dobson has ever asked is the chance to be viewed on her own merits. But in a man's world, that is the unforgivable sin. Now Betsey disembarks from the London train in the seaside resort of Idensea with only a small valise and a canary in a cage. After attempting to forge a letter of reference, Betsey was fired. Her vigorous protest left one man wounded, another jilted, and her character besmirched. But her life is about to change . . . because a young Welshman on the railroad quay is the one man willing to believe in her.