Information about the author
Nancy Mitford (1904-1973) was born in London as the eldest child of the second Baron Redesdale. She had already written four novels, including Wigs on the Green (1935), before achieving success in 1945 with The Pursuit of Love, followed by Love in a Cold Climate (1949), The Blessing (1951), and Don't Tell Alfred (1960). She also wrote four biographies. Nancy Mitford was appointed CBE in 1972.

Summary
Prepared for the perfect marriage by her fearsome mother, Lady Montdore, Polly instead creates a scandal in society by declaring her love for her uncle 'Boy' Dougdale, the lecherous lecturer, and promptly runs away to France. However, the consequences of this union were not something anyone could have anticipated...