Diney Costeloe's wonderful new bestseller is set in 19th-century France.

As the St Clair family prepare for the grand wedding of their daughter, Clarice, trouble is brewing in the shape of an old friendship, a dangerous secret and new love threatened by unexpected events. As the St Clair family prepare for the wedding of their daughter, Clarice, at the great country house of Montmichel, trouble is brewing. Their younger daughter, Helene, became friends with orphaned Annette during the terrible events of the 1871 siege of Paris. Now they are reunited, with Annette working below stairs for Helene's parents. But Annette is hiding a dangerous secret, which Helene has promised to keep at all costs. Meanwhile, Helene herself has begun to fall in love with a young nobleman from England, whose family has plans which do not include their son choosing a French wife.

Praise for the author: “A treat from the very first page. I could not put it down!” HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY

“Historical fiction heaven ... Anyone who feels that women's hist fict is a simplified genre sub-set would definitely need a rethink after this” BOOKBAG

“Enlightening, compelling and emotional” LIVING NORTH