When famous artist Napier Todd stumbles across Edith Hanson scrubbing floors, he is immediately struck by her beauty. Within weeks Napier and Edith are married, and she moves into his large country house. However, the marriage is troubled from the start, and Edith falls ill. Napier takes her to the idyllic Cornish fishing village of Newbourne to convalesce, and there Edith meets Celandine, a struggling artist, and her husband, Sheridan, another painter. Because Celandine understands Napier's artistic temperament, she tries to help Edith with her marriage difficulties. Although her advice succeeds, it also causes tragic repercussions. And with the attractive Alfred Talisman waiting in the wings, it seems that both women's happiness may be ruined. This is the latest novel from the highly-acclaimed and best-selling author of, amongst others, , , and .