Lord Wraxall's fancy - Anna Lieff Saxby

An erotic 18th Century-set romp.

The year is 1720 and Lady Celine Fortescue is summoned by her father, Sir James, to join him on St Cecilia, the turbulent tropical island which he governs. But the girl who steps off the boat into the languid, intoxicating heat isn't the same girl who was content to stay at needle work in a dull Surrey mansion.

On a moonlit light, perfumed with the scent of night blooming flowers, Celine liaises with Liam O'Brian, one of the ship's officers to whom she became secretly betrothed on the long sea voyage. Their plans are thwarted , however, by her father and at the hands of Lord Odo Wraxall, a debauched rake with a penchant for nubile girls. Celine is thrown into confusion by Wraxall, whose arrogance and cruelty betray his preference for darker pleasures.

Exotic and opulent, this story of indulgent luxury is stimulation for the senses and not without a wicked streak of humour.