The Lady of Arlac — Sandra Shulman

"FROM THIS DAY FORTH," THE ELDEST BERTRAN SAID, "OUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE CURSED FOR TONIGHT'S DEED."

The legend of the theft of a great church treasure by the Bertrans and its resulting curse -- on the Bertrans and the village -- persisted through the centuries.

No one ever discovered the stolen treasure. As the fortunes of the village declined, the Castle of Arlac stood as a grim reminder to the country folk, whose loathing for anyone bearing the name of Bertran seethed like a rumbling volcano.

In 1892 this hatred hung like a sword over the innocent head of Maxine Bertran. She came from England to Arlac as its new mistress, ignorant of her ancestors' deeds and unaware of the terrible fate awaiting her... .