A contemporary American retiree who lives in Palm Springs, California, unexpectedly finds himself a lottery winner, and wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Despite the windfall, he travels to London to complete a final, modest job commitment as a residential furnishing appraiser. While involved in that task, Timothy Wesley becomes enthralled with a grand, Italianate house and spacious grounds known as Hensley Oaks. The house has been shuttered for many years and is somewhat neglected, but it has a huge ballroom. This lures him with a need to see it all restored and filled with the rustle of silk gowns, the clinking of champagne glasses, and the sounds of beautiful music. Like a welcome spell, it draws him into the company of the most interesting and adept people. Submitting to these urges, he buys the estate. Timothy begins to build this dream world with the aid of his unrestrained wealth, and the help of a strong American female attorney who chooses principle over intimidation. His first step was to start restoration of the twenty-seven-room mansion, barren of life and spirit, but under the hands of this new owner and a new staff, the once impressive property begins to reveal its true grandness, and its secrets. Even the Gatehouse is restored. It serves as the temporary construction office, and then, the site of a surprising tryst. Once begun, how does a typical American man slip into the life of English landed gentry? A life that includes servants, groundskeepers, and nearby, two unmarried noble ladies with intimate secrets and unfulfilled lives. Both of whom, suddenly find romance in the most unusual way, and with unanticipated men. Within that busy world, unknown to those dashing about, a fox decides to have a litter under the Ballroom floor. Two starving horses are discovered, and a long dead voyeuristic Earl is still secretly guarding his enormous and furtive treasure. Welcome to The Velvet Abbey. A contemporary Regency-style dreams-come-true/romance