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This story is set in the last years of the Regency, and is narrated by Ennis Corbyn, a spirited young woman, but no beauty, who is adopted by the rich and lonely Marquesa de Verletta, and by her introduced into the highest flight of society. The Marquesa's wealth and rank, and the flattering attention of the Prince Regent, are responsible for Ennis's social success. In spite of which her life with the Marquesa at The Abbot's House is overshadowed by fear, and the sinister secret hidden behind the locked door of the old wing, which nobody, unless accomplished by the Marquesa, is allowed to enter. Ennis loves the dashing Damien Wynton of the Hell Fire Club, and is resolved she will marry him and no other. But Damien avows that love for him is only sweet for a day, and there is Oliver Embury, one of the Prince Regent's aides, who swears he will be true to her always. This is the background for a sparkling tale of love, adventure and eerie happenings.
Ennis Corbyn, a spirited young woman thrust into the heights of Regency society, must navigate the dangerous allure of the aristocracy while confronting a terrifying secret hidden within her guardian's estate. Adopted by the wealthy Marquesa de Verletta, Ennis finds herself caught between the glittering attention of the Prince Regent and the dark, oppressive atmosphere of The Abbot's House. As she pursues a volatile romance with the dashing Damien Wynton, she must also contend with the persistent devotion of Oliver Embury. The narrative, told from Ennis's perspective, balances the rigid social expectations of the era with the encroaching dread of a locked-room mystery.
This work operates within the established conventions of the Regency Gothic, utilizing the familiar trope of the vulnerable heroine entering a house of secrets. The narrative structure relies on the juxtaposition of high-society glamour and the claustrophobic tension of the domestic sphere. Readers likely find the pacing consistent with mid-century historical romances that prioritize character development alongside a central mystery. The focus on the protagonist's internal struggle against both societal pressures and external threats provides a clear thematic anchor for the story.
Page Count:
158
Publication Date:
1969-01-01
Publisher:
Collins
ISBN-10:
0002330032
ISBN-13:
9780002330039
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