A moment of silence / Anna Dean.

United States edition has the title: Bellfield Hall.

"Belsfield Hall, 1805. Whilst dancing at a glittering ball held in celebration of her engagement to Mr. Richard Montague, Miss Catherine Kent witnesses an extraordinary occurrence: a silent communication between her fiance and a stranger, and the subsequent unexplained disappearance of her betrothed. Her special night - which should have become a happy memory to store up for the future - ends in sorrow and confusion. Distraught with worry, Catherine sends for her beloved spinster aunt, Miss Dido Kent. But on the very day of Dido's arrival, a sinister discovery casts unwelcome suspicion on Richard's sudden absence." "Family secrets, long consigned to the darkest recesses of the past, begin to emerge as Dido attempts to unravel the strange happenings in order to secure her niece's happiness. In detailed letters to her sister Eliza, Dido attempts to use her clear-cut logical thinking to carve a swathe through the rumour-mongering, ambitious matchmaking and ulterior motives of the other guests. And when she finally arrives at the startling truth, it is to change the lives of all involved forever. But will it be for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health? Only time will tell."--Jacket.