Ambrose was a much adored cousin, one who went away, found the cousin Rachel in Italy - she is part Italian - and was planning to bring her over, as his new beloved wife and the mistress of their home. Philip found out about the marriage only when he arrived in Italy, and about the death of Ambrose. But Rachel was nothing like he had imagined, and he could not hate her - and fell in love instead. Only, he found an unmailled letter from Ambrose, suspecting Rachel of trying to kill him ...
One is as unable to make up one's mind as Philip, the wretched tormented lover ... and one hurts for the unfortunate, loving Rachel with her unrecognised sterling qualities, her heart, her selfless giving ways.
A haunting quality pervades this as it does the writer's other books more often than not, and then there are the beautiful surroundings. now Italy, now England.