Ena Halliday

Delphine is the first novel by Anne Louise Germaine de Staël, published in 1802. The book is written in epistolary form (as a series of letters) and examines the limits of women's freedom in an aristocratic society. Although Madame de Staël denied political intent the book was controversial enough for Napoleon to exile the author.

FOR SOME WOMEN, THERE IS ONLY ONE MAN. Marielle Saint Juste fought her own fears as she entered the prison of Louis XIII that housed her wounded brother. Her chestnut hair was disguised and her silver coins lay in the palm of an old jailer. But when the key turned in the lock and her eyes searched the dark confines of the cell, Marielle saw only the stranger who was her destiny.