The MS. in a Red Box

"The MS. in a Red Box" by John A. Hamilton is set in England in 1627, introducing Frank Vavasour, a young man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters the alluring Mistress Goel. Initially, Frank rides high on his family's legal victory against a land drainage scheme, but his world quickly shifts as he finds himself drawn to Mistress Goel and entangled in a web of romance and peril. Torn between his growing affection for her and his commitment to his family's struggles against the ambitious plans of a powerful opponent, Frank must navigate a complex landscape of personal desires and political conflicts in a time of upheaval. The story balances themes of love and obligation, painting a picture of a society on the brink of change, where individual destinies are shaped by larger historical forces.