«A Thousand Splintered Paths, Sophia of Suffolk: Volume Two» by Jamie Michele, Mme d'Arblay

The echo of a gunshot pierces through Vauxhall Gardens, forcing Sophia Bexley from the ruined Hunter home and into the care of her ostentatious guardian, Mr. Dalton. Before the family departs London to take respite at Dalton Castle, Sophia makes a discovery about her dearest friend, Henrietta Belfield, and the enigmatic Hugh Dalton—son and heir of Mr. Dalton, and the master of Sophia's own heart.

There is little reprieve found for Sophia within the cold confines of Dalton Castle.

Soon abandoning the estate with a thinly veiled understanding from Mrs. Dalton, Sophia returns to her beloved Suffolk weeks before her coming of age. The pleasure of her homecoming is short lived. Already in a precarious balancing act between her principles and her affections, Sophia's future happiness and security can only come at the sacrifice of almost all she holds dear.

A Thousand Splintered Paths is the second book of the three part series, Sophia of Suffolk.