The Peacock's Feather

The beautiful but dilapidated country house Ramillies is the focal point of this award-winner (England's 1988 Romantic Novel of the Year) set in the early 1800s. To Ramillies come Jardine Savage, privateer with a past who has just returned from India; his companion, an irrascible, lovelorn doctor, Alexander French; and, in their precarious care, a dark-skinned infant girl of mysterious origins. Ousted from Ramillies before their arrival is the rightful owner, Lizzie Rayner, a feisty and brilliant artist, who cares deeply for the rundown homestead--which local superstition judges accursed. Around these characters swirls a host of Suffolk countryfolk busy with gossip (about Jary and the baby), intrigue (about the ownership of Ramillies), even accusations of murder (leveled in court at Jary). Love for the old place inevitably unites Jary and Lizzy, and the Trollopian scenario comes to a satisfying close. Woodhouse is the author of A Season of Mists and The Indian Widow. (Jan.)