Watch and ward

"Watch and Ward" by Henry James is a novel first published as a serial in 1871. When wealthy Roger Lawrence adopts twelve-year-old Nora Lambert out of remorse, he secretly plans to marry her once she matures. But as Nora blossoms into a beautiful young woman, she finds herself drawn to other men, complicating Roger's designs. This melodramatic tale, which James later disowned, traces a controversial guardianship that transforms into romantic pursuit, complete with villains, rivals, and a climactic rescue in New York City. (This is an automatically generated summary.)