Gentle Folk — Alexander Baron

A delicately observed novel by a beautiful writer. Richard Latt accepted Mrs. Menant's invitation to Astons knowing that six days in the same house of her daughter, Portia, would be sweet torture. Red-faced with corn-blonde hair, shy and nervous, he realises he may seem unappealing to a young girl. And even though the spoilt, ill-mannered Portia frequently treats him with a rude indifference he hopes that the week might result in some unforeseeable changes. Indeed, in the presence of such socialites as the labour leader Mr Argent, Henry Readington and the novelist F.J. Dobbs, the young Richard begins to find his confidence and his voice, if only he weren't so troubled by strange premonitions...