'Seton's use of language, the crisp descriptions, the depth of emotions shown subtly growing to an almost unbearable pinnacle.'-Barbara Samuel, a.k.a. Although Celia and Stephen can't escape the horrifying consequences of their love, fate-and time-offer them another chance for redemption. She journeys back almost four hundred years to the reign of Edward VI and her former life as the servant girl Celia de Bohun-and her doomed love affair with the chaplain Stephen Marsdon. Richard acts out of character, and Celia is suffering a debilitating emotional breakdown.Ī friend of Celia's mother, a wise, Hindu mystic, realizes the couple is haunted by an event from their past lives, and the only way to repair the damage is to send Celia back in time. Strange things are afoot after English aristocrat Richard Marsdon takes his new wife Celia, an American heiress, to his family home in Sussex. A good day out.A 1960s guru sends a troubled American woman back over 400 years into a past life to save her marriage in this classic New York Times–bestselling romance. We chose to take lunch at the cafe where we had a very nice Greek salad. Plenty of history here, even a ghost story, along with grounds to stroll through and the opportunity to picnic by the lake. He jumped in on his first day of duty! George was the dog who accompanied one of the disabled volunteers. I liked the fact that as well as printed room guides describing the more important features, there were also several descriptions of volunteers' favourite items, locations or views. In fact, one room had a fairly modern three-piece suite to allow you to sit and absorb the atmosphere.

The furniture in some properties is deemed too precious for ordinary mortal to sit down, which is taxing for my wife who walks with a stick and needs frequent rests, but she had lots of opportunities to sit here. It made me want to visit, and now that I have I want to read the novel again! It is a strange affair, a moated four-sided house with an inner courtyard, and yet it feels homely rather than stately.

Much of the action takes place at Cowdray in Midhurst (which I know well) and here at Ightham Mote. Although I am a life member of the National Trust I had never heard of this place until I read Green Darkness by Anya Seton a few years ago.

Green darkness novel