Zibeline — Volume 3

In the glittering salons of early‑nineteenth‑century France, a widowed duchess grapples with the looming extinction of two noble titles. With no heirs of her own, she pours her affection into her husband and her obstinate brother, whose refusal to marry threatens the family’s legacy. Amid this delicate balance of duty and desire, the young and charismatic Mademoiselle de Vermont—known for her sharp intuition and playful candor—steps into the social arena, drawing the admiration of everyone she meets.

When Valentine, a foreign patroness, arrives to support an orphan asylum, her presence ignites a subtle clash of precedence. A lavish dinner hosted by the duchess becomes a stage for whispered rivalries, as guests navigate the fine line between politeness and pride. The opulent setting—tapestries, polished oak, silver candelabra, and a flower‑laden table—mirrors the intricate dance of manners, ambition, and hidden grievances that define this world of aristocratic intrigue.