Part of La Comédie Humaine, book 10
First published 2004
A grand ball unfolds during Napoleon's reign, drawing the cream of aristocratic society into glittering revelry. Among the familiar faces appears a newcomer who captures every eye. This beautiful young woman carries herself with grace, yet her gaze reveals deep sorrow that intrigues the assembled gentlemen. Multiple suitors begin pursuing her attention, each drawn by her enigmatic presence and the sadness that seems to define her. As the evening progresses, their competition intensifies. The woman's arrival sets in motion a series of encounters that will alter the trajectories of everyone involved. What begins as an ordinary social gathering becomes a night of consequence for the men who seek her favor. By dawn, none of their lives will remain the same.
Genres: romance, domestic-fiction, historical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, social-climbing
Setting: France
Period: Napoleonic Era
48 pages · Paperback · Kessinger Publishing