WAS MOORWOOD MANOR TO BECOME HER PERMANENT PRISON?

After the death of her husband, Simon, in an accident which rendered her unconscious for a time, Katherine Greene inherits Moorwood Manor.  She also becomes a prisoner there.

Katherine is accused of murdering her husband during the accident.  His cousin, Richard Greene, demands that in exchange for his silence about the murder, Katherine marry him and turn over the estate.  If she refuses, he will turn her over to the police.

Katherine is completely under Richard's power.  Everyone knows she and Simon quarrelled often over his drinking and gambling.  And because she has no memory of the accident or its aftermath, she cannot defend herself.

How can Katherine protect herself from the court's vengeance when she doesn't even know for certain that she is innocent?  Yet how can she agree to marry a man she truly fears?