Le festin secret

Araminta Sinclair is horrified when she learns her brother Sir Harry Sinclair has lost £600 gaming, to the Marquis of Wayne.

She offers to give up the small sum collected for her debut in London and then has an inspiration as to how they can obtain the rest.

Her father, the previous Baronet, a gourmet and an epicure insisted on his daughter becoming an exceptionally fine cook.

How Araminta enlists the help of General Sir Alexander Bracknell, one of Wellington’s Commanders, how there is a bet that her cooking can rival that of Careme — the Prince Regent’s Master Chef — and how her deception brings her heart-break and finally happiness is told in this dramatic 186th book by Barbara Cartland.