1. Why does Belinda think Phoebe should go to sea with her? If you think Belinda is being unreasonable, why? If you feel Phoebe has a family obligation to her sister-in-law, how is she wrong in refusing?

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?