As Mia's fifth delivery drew near, Gael felt she needed a helper; but to his consternation, she refused to let him hire anyone. So he devised a plan to find 'a maiden all forlorn' — a girl in such desperate straits that Mia would feel compelled to hire her, if only to save her from her sad situation.
 Moira was the unlikely candidate Gael's lawyer found; unlikely, because she was one of the most accomplished and attractive young women he had ever met. But for a foundling, exceptional beauty was more a curse than a blessing; and the viper who meant to possess her had no intention of letting her escape, no matter where she sought refuge.