Lisa St Aubin de Teran

Since the eighteenth century the eccentric and flamboyant Beltran family have ruled their desolate Andean valley. Now they are almost extinct.

At seventeen, Lydia Sinclair, newly married to Don Diego Beltran, the last of the line, arrives at the vast decaying Hacienda La Bebella. As her husband retreats into himself, Lydia takes refuge in unearthing his ancestors' tragic history. Benito, the family's oldest retainer, relates to her tales of splendour and romance, violence and suffering. From these she weaves a rich gothic tapestry in which the fantastic legends of the past are mingled with the present necessity for survival in a harsh, drought-ridden land.

CONTENT WARNING: contains scenes of a sexual nature

This book tells the history of an Italian family, the del Campos. Gabriel, the founder of the dynasty, starts life as a peasant, then, as a young man, becomes a captive of the Vatican and in prison learns the ways of a gentleman.

Gabriele del Campo, a poor peasant, falls in love with a beautiful noblewoman. While he languishes in prison he dreams of building a grand palace for Donna Donatella.

The obsession of the author's search for a castle ended immediately she saw Villa Orsola.