Reed Wilder is looking for the woman who tempted, and stole from his late brother, Jonathan. When Jonathan's widow shows up in Dover, Reed sets out to find the fallen woman who interfered in the marriage and now holds the family's signet ring. It's possible this woman may also be the mother of Jonathan's heir. If that proves to be true, Reed intends to buy off the woman and bring the child back to the Wilder estates. Nothing is as simple as Reed thinks.

Lucy Ames and her son Toby, rescue a stranger from a severe beating by the hands of two town ruffians. It takes time and a bit of ingenuity to get him back to their home and care for him, but Lucy manages. When she sorts out the things pulled from his saddlebags, she finds her first name on a paper, and the rest of the ink is smudged from being wet. The papers claim he's a detective. What does this man want with her? Lucy has enough to deal with, having the town believe she's a fallen woman. What more could happen?

What Matters Most is? Rumors from town inhabitants? Is anything a fallen woman says to be believed? Or will someone finally be willing to hear the truth? Reed's first impressions of Lucy, as she tends to his wounds, are that of an angel. He doesn't like the way she's shunned by townfolk, and believes she doesn't deserve it, until he finds out who she is. His conflicting feelings create the problem in this story, and Lucy doesn't say much in her own defense.

Secondary character Lowell Crowder wants Lucy for his wife, but she doesn't feel the same. He'll use whatever tactics he feels necessary to convince her to change her mind. He's not really a bad guy, just got his reasons skewed. Most of the other secondary characters are willing to believe the worst of Lucy. Reed is torn between what he's learned for himself and what others say.

The conflicts are well written and Lucy's past gradually unfolds. You have to admire her courage to tolerate the treatment she gets from others. The characters are strong and keep the plot moving smoothly. In the end, you find out What Matters Most