A compelling novel based on the true story of Sir George Grey's disastrous and scandalous marriage. Trapped in an increasingly loveless union, Sir George and his wife, Eliza Lucy, each sought affection elsewhere. Lady Grey's indiscretion caused her to be cast off by her husband and vilified throughout colonial and domestic Victorian high society. Her fall from grace was broadcast by The Times of London, eventually reaching even the ears of the Queen and Prince Albert. Meanwhile the nature of Sir George's liaison with his young Maori prot g was to remain only the subject of speculation. Eliza's life is revealed through the perspective of the fictitious English orphan, Fanny Thompson, who offers an intriguing interpretation of Sir George's behaviour. Though Fanny, too, finds herself drawn by the lure of an exotic culture and is forced to question the nature of love and even her own values.

Judy Corbalis was born and brought up in New Zealand. She later moved to London with her husband the admired sculptor, Phillip King, who served as President of the Royal Academy. She trained at RADA, and has worked in TV and fringe and community theatre. Her children's books have been published by Deutsch, Hodder and Scholastic – children love them for their humour and the fact that no character behaves as expected. Judy Corbalis is a graduate of the famous MA course for creative writing at the university of East Anglia. Her novels include Mortmain.