Cordelia

Manchester 1867. Widowed in mysterious circumstances and compelled to marry again by his domineering father Frederick Brook Ferguson selects as his new bride the beautiful strong-willed Cordelia. But after she comes to live with Brook and Frederick as well as their household of eccentric family members it isn't long before Cordelia is locked in a quiet war of dominance with the elder Ferguson. In the stifling atmosphere of the Ferguson's manor house petty arguments escalate and any small defiance becomes a grand betrayal until the tension forces Cordelia out into the world in search of something more.<br><br>Which is just when theatre-owner Stephen Crossley with his quick wit and easy smile strolls into her life - and Cordelia is forced to make the hardest decision of all: Loyalty... or love?<br><br>A passionate romance shot through with dark humour and melancholy <i>Cordelia</i> is a modern classic of the Gothic genre from the bestselling author of <i>Marnie</i>.<br><br>'Excellent' <i>TLS</i><br><br>'Cordelia has the virtues of readability of convincing motive and emotion and of vivid background . . . all the excellent Victorian ingredients - guilty love surrender pathos and comedy. It is enthralling from start to finish a beguiling journey backwards in time.' <i>Scotsman</i>