Contraband; Or, A Losing Hazard

"Contraband; Or, A Losing Hazard" by G. J. Whyte-Melville is a tale of love, loss, and reputation set against the backdrop of high society and hunting in the late 1800s. The story centers around Mrs. Lascelles, a beautiful widow, as she finds herself drawn to the twice-widowed Sir Henry Hallaton, a man with a scandalous past. Their initial encounter after a hunt, filled with private confessions, reveals her conflicted feelings towards him and his own struggles with love and societal pressures. As they both navigate social expectations and complex emotions, the narrative builds suspense, hinting at potential heartbreak and testing the boundaries of their romantic pursuits.