Woman Linnet Cadwallader continues to be raised a helpless invalid in her own castle. Brought up to believe she’ll ‘by no means make old bone fragments’ she lives a silent and lonely presence, hiding apart her excessive freckles and red hair from a world that believes her to be hideously misshapen and unappealing.

Until 1 day her uncle arranges a married relationship of convenience on her behalf, a relationship in name only with a puppet bridegroom . but Sir Roland does not show up. In his place arises his base-born brother Mason Vawdrey. And dark, forceful Mason is no-one’s puppet.

Things are about to get interesting in Cadwallader Castle. And Linnet is about to discover that maybe a fantastic leopardess doesn’t need to change her glorious spots.

Contains mature themes.