The Exquisite Perdita — E. Barrington

Married to cruel and negligent man, the young Perdita Robinson sees her life and her youth pass her by -- until the day the charming Irishman, Mr Sheridan, arrives into her parlour, and offers her an escape: to become an actress on the stage.

Before she knows it, she is welcomed into a new family: actors, directors, playwrights, a world of artists who live by their passions and live their dreams out on the stage. It's all she could have asked for. Overnight, Perdita becomes the centre of the attention, and finds a place where she feels she truly belongs.

Even her husband, the gambling, drinking Mr Robinson, must admit that Perdita has a talent for the arts -- as is clear by the admiration she quickly gathers from her new fans. Among them is the Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, who, it is soon said, cannot seem to take his eyes of Perdita…

With success and temptation pulling her from side to side, Perdita is soon enthralled and tormented by her new life. The fairy tale glamour of the Royal court is a shimmering portrait from afar, but up close, it soon reveals itself to be nothing more than a pretty illusion. Her newfound friends of the stage warn her against high ambitions, but it may be too late already for Perdita to save herself.

In her pursuit to become the Exquisite Perdita, adored by all â€" even a Prince â€" will she rise and fall as a shooting star, or manage to escape the intrigues and deceits of the Royal court to find her happiness?

An enthralling tale of passion and intrigue set against a vivid historical backdrop, the story of the Exquisite Perdita is an absolute must-read.