Menfreya in the Morning by Victoria Holt (1966)

Menfreya in the Morning
by Victoria Holt
Publisher:  Doubleday & Company, Inc.
Copyright:  1966
Book Club Edition

There is a legend at Menfreya that one of the early Menfreys concealed his mistress in the house and that she was killed by his jealous wife.  Ever after the clock on the tower has stopped when a Menfrey is about to die . . .

To young Harriet Delvaney, lonely, self-conscious about her slight limp, Menfreya, standing like a fortress on the Cornish coast, had always spelled happiness and excitement.  It was there -- with her best friend Gwennan Menfrey, high-spirited daughter of the family -- that Harriet had taken refuge from her father's indifference and cruelty.  It was there she had admired from afar Bevil Menfrey, heir to Menfreya and heir, too, to all the handsome charm that gave the Manfrey men their reputation as philanderers.  Harriet longed to become poised, desirable, able to command his love.

At her father's death Harriet finds herself extremely rich.  She has learned to cover her shyness with a witty tongue and to understand that one does not need conventional blue eyes and ringlets to be beautiful.  She is, a catch for Bevil Menfrey and when he does ask her to marry him her cup of happiness seems to be full.  When Bevil runs for Parliament, Harriet knows that she is the wife he needs, capable of helping him in his career.

But there are still whispers of the old gossip in the village.  Doubts begin to invade Harriet's mind and wherever she turns she seems to meet fresh evidence of Bevil's past.  Has he really reformed?  And does he love her -- or simply need her money for the almost bankrupt estates?  How much truth is there in the legend of the Menfrey men and their mistresses?

When Bevil brings to Menfreya, as a governess, one of his former loves, Harriet -- like that long ago wife -- is tortured with jealousy.  Suddenly the legend takes on a personal and terrifying meaning and in desperation Harriet turns to the one person she can trust . . . but is there really anyone now she can trust?

Once again, Victoria Holt has created a chilling tale of suspense in the Gothic tradition of her bestselling Mistress of Mellyn and The Legend of the Seventh Virgin.

Condition:  Used.  Hardcover.  Dust cover is discolored and shows wear, creasing and tears in the edges.  Dust cover spine is darkened.  Pages are tanning from age.  Previous owner's name is blacked out on the front endpaper with the date written underneath.  There's an envelope pasted to the front endpaper as a way for the previous owner to keep track of her books.

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