A beautifully evocative historical novel about the perils of all-consuming love, inspired by a real-life eighteenth-century love affair, from the bestselling author of The Other Bennet Sister

When I love at all, it is with my whole soulmy heart must be torn to pieces before it can forget or resign the objects of its affections.

England, 1794. Now in her thirties, Lady Harriet Bessborough, already the veteran of several liaisons, finds herself pursued by a much younger man. This isnt unusual in her circle, where married women often take younger lovers. No one minds much, provided they follow the rules of the game: Dont embarrass your husband, maintain complete discretion at all times, and never ever make the mistake of falling in love.

So when Harriet meets Lord Granvillebrilliantly handsome, insistently ardent, and twelve years younger than hershes confident she can manage their affair. Until she finds herself falling uncontrollably under his spell.

As shes plunged into an all-consuming passion, Harriets worldliness and sophistication desert her. With each besotted step, she finds herself edging ever closer to exposure and ruin. She knows she should leave Granville but cant bring herself to do itshe loves him far too deeply now to escape the scandal that threatens to engulf her.