'A delicious romp of a novel' The Times

'Sally writes so brilliantly... compelling, thrilling and beguiling!' Caroline Lea

'As if Angela Carter had written Georgette Heyer with a dash of A Tale of Two Cities' Amanda Craig

'Beautifully written... a real page-turner' Mandy Robothom

'Part storyteller, part magician – no one brings history to life like Sally Gardner' Meg Rosoff

AN ESTATE ON THE LINE.

1796. Duval Harlington, recently released from prison in France, is on his way home. Memories of the tranquil family estate kept his spirits high through his worst days in La Force, so it is no small sorrow to return and find Muchmore thrown into chaos. His despicable father, he learns, has died. And while he has left the estate to Duval, there is one small stipulation: he must be married, or else lose everything…

A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.

With only two days and seven hours to find a wife, devoted bachelor Duval is prepared to walk away. But then he stumbles upon a wife sale. With women being bought and sold like chattels, Duval is horrified by what he sees. Until he lays eyes on one intriguing figure…

A BRIDE WITH A HIDDEN PAST.

Duval makes an extravagant bid, and he and Edmée are married with minutes to spare. But little does Duval know, this is only the beginning of his troubles. For Edmée is not who she says she is, and her secrets will soon threaten to dismantle everything he holds dear…

CRITICS LOVE SALLY GARDNER:

'Seductive' Observer

'Wildly inventive' The TImes

'Superb... joyful' New Statesman

'A delight' The Sunday Times

'Beguiling' Mail on Sunday

'Magical storytelling' Heat

'A triumph!' Caroline Lea

'Bold and original' Financial Times

'I was completely captivated' Amanda Craig

READERS LOVE THE BRIDE STONE:

'Intriguing, enlightening and romantic'

'Such a page-turner... highly recommended'

'Vivid and tense... will stay with readers long after they finish'

'[I] hope the BBC immediately turns this into a period drama!'

'Secrets aplenty [with] a delightful twist!'

' I was drawn in from the start and remained captivated throughout'

'I was utterly captivated... I raced through this novel'