Having been spirited away from London by D'Artagnan, the 21st Century's most arrogant Frenchman, Nicole is gradually settling in to her new life as mistress of his slightly dilapidated château in the depths of south west France.

The first year of married life was rather more stressful than she'd expected and although she's struggling a little with the aftermath, she's determined to subdue her anxiety one way or another.

She's overjoyed when she meets her new French teacher Bérengère whose 10am lessons begin with an obligatory alcoholic aperitif and feature more about the nuances of French culture than endless verb conjugations.

But she's increasingly aware that a horrific experience from her past is about to catch up with her, and she knows that if she's ever to get justice, the process must at all costs be kept from her hot-blooded husband.

Meanwhile, there's a wedding to plan, a temperamental château to placate... and little Nina, the neighbour's foster daughter who stirs up feelings that Nicole cannot ignore...

(230 pages)