Fay Weldon's new novel takes us inside the lives of an aristocratic household in the last three months of the nineteenth century It's a time of riot and confusion, social upheaval, war abroad and shortage of money Tea gowns are still laced with diamonds there are still nine courses at dinner, but bankruptcy looms for the Dilbernes Whilst the Earl, gambler and man about town, must seek a new post in government his wife Lady Isobel's solution is to marry off their son Arthur to a wealthy heiress, and without delay But how? It's the end of the season, and choices are few There's Minnie O'Brien from Chigaco - rich enough, but daughter of a stockyard baron, and with a vulgar mother and dubious past Hardly suitable !