Touching the Stars

\"Justina Mansell, the youngest daughter of Lord and Lady Mansell istold that her sister has been invited to visit India, but cannotaccept. So Justina jumps at the chance to go in her place. Her aunt arranges for her to be chaperoned on board ship by the stately Mrs. Arbuthnot, who is travelling with her two daughters and her littleterrier, Muffin. Justina is quickly attracted to the good-looking Sir Thomas Watson who is most attentive and much admires her beautywhen he joins the Arbuthnot table for dinner. When the Arbuthnotladies succumb to seasickness Justina takes Muffin for walks along the deck. There she meets the solitary figure of Lord Castleton with hisown dog. He knows her father and they strike up a friendship. Justina finds herself compromised in her cabin by Sir Thomas even thoughshe has given him no encouragement and is forced to agree to becomeengaged to him to prevent a scandal. Lord Castleton is not at allpleased by this turn of events, especially as Justina seemed far fromhappy with her engagement. How Justina is swept from despair tohappiness and love after a number of surprises and unexpected twistsis told in this unusual and intriguing romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.\"