The History of the Lady Betty Stair

In 1798 the grand halls of Holyrood are alive with French exiles, among them the future Charles X and his Savoyard princess. They share the palace with a colorful quartet—a former soldier‑priest, a charming courtier, a rakish musketeer, and Lady Betty Stair, a striking young woman raised at Versailles under the watchful eye of Madame Mirabel. Betty’s mixed heritage—Scottish roots and a polished French education—gives her a unique blend of fierce independence and genteel poise.

The story opens with a vivid memory of teenage Betty defending her honor with a swift strike of a green fan, leaving a would‑be suitor bruised and humbled. That bold act hints at the courage that will carry her through the upheavals of the French Revolution and personal loss, including the mysterious death of her brother, Angus. As old loyalties and new dangers converge, Betty’s keen spirit and sharp wit become the thread that ties these restless souls together in a palace haunted by both history and intrigue.