Poacher's Moon — Ann Cliff

When nursemaid Kate Cooper rescues poacher William Thorpe from a mantrap on land belonging to her employer, Sir Titus Wiggins, they are unaware of the consequences of their meeting. Wiggins, a cruel, heartless lecher, dismisses Kate and she is forced to find other work. She finds it with childhood friend Tom Ridley, a local landowner, and struggles to keep a professional distance from him, aware he is to marry elsewhere. Healed by his lost love Judith, William joins Ridley on the night of the poacher's moon when matters come to a head and passion and disaster collide at the Wiggins mansion leaving all searching for answers and the elusive happiness they so desire.