Love at the Twilight of the Century

This book is about love - for life, for beauty, love between a man and a woman. About where dreams lead, and that beauty, intelligence, and wealth do not guarantee serene happiness. About the human "masquerade ball" of vanity and pride, and that the rich also cry. About castles and palaces, 'skeletons in the closet' and the Beautiful Era with its cult of gourmet food and aesthetics.

Marrying the Duke of Marlborough was the most cherished dream of Gladys Deacon - a beautiful American with an ancient profile and enchanting blue eyes that drive great and famous men crazy. She pursued her goal for three whole decades, but the alluring happiness turned out to be a mirage. Transforming into a recluse, she disappeared from society's chronicles for many years, and only the sphinxes with her face in the palace park of Blenheim kept family secrets…