As a background for this novel, I have described the building of Waddesdon Manor from 1874 to 1889 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. He combined the beauty of the sixteenth century French Châteaux I have mentioned to create in England one of the most beautiful, exotic, Fairytale houses one can imagine.
The rooms and the furniture I have described can all be seen at Waddesdon which is open to the public with the exception of the picture of Venus, Mercury and Cupid by Louis Michel Van Loo.
Venus, Mercury and CupidWaddesdon has more treasures packed into its rooms than any other house I have ever visited and everyone who loves beautiful antiques, which are historic, should be grateful to James de Rothschild who on his death in 1957 bequeathed the house and its contents to the National Trust.