The Botanical Bride

1814. Evenwood Manor, a Cotswolds jewel, harbors a secret as intoxicating as the rare orchids blooming within its glass walls. Victoria Ashworth, a young woman of quiet grace, commands the language of flowers—a perilous gift of botanical alchemy passed down through generations of Ashworth women. With a touch, a scent, a carefully chosen bloom, she can subtly influence emotions, orchestrating romances amongst the ton with playful innocence.

But Victoria's delicate manipulations take a dark turn when a jealous suitor's desperate act unleashes chaos, transforming her reputation into that of "The Botanical Bride"—a moniker both alluring and ominous. Whispers turn to fear, drawing the attention of not only admirers, but a far more sinister entity.

Amongst the admirers is Alistair Finch, a gentleman scientist whose piercing gaze sees beyond the rumors, recognizing a kindred spirit in Victoria. Their shared fascination with the natural world blossoms into a haven of intellectual curiosity and burgeoning affection, yet Alistair harbors secrets as dark as the Whispering Woods that surround Evenwood. His own research into the hidden properties of plants mirrors Victoria’s, intertwining their fates in ways neither can foresee.

Unbeknownst to them, the whispers of Victoria's power have reached the Order of the Verdant Flame, a clandestine society that believes human emotion is the key to controlling the world. Led by the chillingly composed Lady Beatrice Hawthorne, the Order views Victoria not as a threat, but as the ultimate weapon. Their insidious agents, like tendrils of nightshade, begin to encroach upon Evenwood, threatening not only Victoria’s freedom, but the lives of those she holds dear.

Torn between her growing feelings for Alistair and the escalating danger, Victoria delves deeper into her family’s hidden history, uncovering the true potential—and terrible responsibility—of her gift. She learns that the line between love and obsession, healing and harm, is as delicate as a rose petal. The rose that inspires love can also draw blood, and the lavender that calms the mind can subdue a nation.

As science and sorcery intertwine, Alistair’s connection to the Order deepens, forcing him to choose between his ambition and his loyalty to Victoria. His internal struggle mirrors her own, creating a treacherous landscape of trust and betrayal where every choice carries a devastating consequence.

When the Order’s pursuit culminates in a dramatic confrontation at Evenwood, Victoria must unleash the full extent of her botanical magic. The conservatory transforms into a fragrant battleground, where roses bloom into shields and thorns become daggers. In the heart of the chaos, she faces a terrible choice: wield her power as a weapon of control, mirroring the Order's chilling ambition, or forge a different path, one rooted in compassion and the enduring strength of human connection. The fate of love and free will itself hangs in the balance, where the most delicate of blooms can hold the deadliest power.

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Rafbók: 14 november 2024