All Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. But when she refuses to accompany her pregnant sister-in-law to help save her husband from an English prison during the War of 1812, Phoebe finds herself pressed aboard a British privateer crossing the Atlantic under the command of a man with a deadly mission.

Captain Rafe Docherty promises to get Phoebe’s brother-in-law out of prison in exchange for information he holds --- information Rafe needs if he is to exact revenge on the man who destroyed his family. However, he does not expect his own heart to be taken captive.

As Rafe struggles against his attraction to Phoebe, she determines to get ashore before her patient goes into labor --- and before her own heart is in danger. But an enemy in their midst threatens to end their plans, the ship, and their very lives.

2. How does Phoebe justify the tactics she employs to free herself from the privateer? Is she right in doing so? If so, how? If not, then how else could she have attempted to get away?

3. What do you think of Rafe having his daughter aboard a vessel that could go into battle at any time?

4. How does Phoebe use her skill as a midwife to help herself? What rules of dedication does she violate, if any?

5. One of the recurring themes in this novel is loyalty and faithfulness --- to family, duty, loved ones, and God. How are these types of loyalties shown?

6. How does Rafe go too far in his loyalty to his deceased wife? Are his goals justified? Why or why not?

7. When did you begin to sense that Rafe and Phoebe are falling in love with one another?

8. What spiritual and emotional obstacles must Rafe and Phoebe overcome to have a successful future together?

9. When do you think Rafe’s heart begins to return to the Lord?

10. Why does Phoebe call herself a fraud and a hypocrite? Have you ever done something or felt a certain way about a person that made you feel like Phoebe? How did you or how can you restore your relationship with the Lord?

11. How can Rafe expect Phoebe to believe he loves her when he places his desire for vengeance above staying with her? If this were the man you loved, what would you expect him to do? What would you want him to do?

12. What is your opinion of Belinda when she confesses the truth about James Brock while she’s in labor?

13. How does Phoebe’s spiritual healing affect Rafe’s own spiritual journey?

14. How does Phoebe demonstrate her love for Rafe?

15. In the epilogue, Phoebe delivers the daughter Tabitha longed for in Lady in the Mist. What kind of a daughter --- the heroine of the third midwife book --- do you think Tabitha and Dominick will raise?