Mistress of the Arts: The Passionate Life of Georgina, Duchess of Bedford - Tapa dura

Two hundred years ago there lived a magnetic and manipulative aristocrat whose complex relationships and strong passions strike a chord with any modern woman. Georgina, Duchess of Bedford (1781-1853), had a long and happy marriage with one of the richest men in England. Yet she also kept a handsome lover over 20 years her junior - the celebrated artist Edwin Landseer - who adored her till the day he died. Georgina's life caused scandal even in that decadent era. She was at the centre of Regency society and mixed with the leading politicians, artists and nobles of the time, from her step-son, the Prime Minister Lord John Russell to her great rival, the Duchess of Devonshire's daughter. Popular history at its best - strong period detail and vividly drawn characters.

Rachel Trethewey studied history at Oxford University, where she won the Philip Geddes Prize for journalism. She has written for the national papers and was a correspondent for Westcountry Television.