Frederica, Duchess of York, at age 24, the year she was married.

Oatlands House in Surrey, where the duchess lived and the duke rarely visited.

The Oatlands Grotto, a testament to eccentricity.

Holland House, where the Whigs gathered.

Elizabeth, Lady Holland, before she abandoned her first husband in favor of the future Lord Holland.

The Duke of Wellington, who seems to know many of the characters in my books . . . .

The ceremonial opening of Waterloo Bridge in 1817.

The Avebury Stone Circle in Wiltshire.

Silbury Hill, man-made of excavated chalk in prehistoric times for purposes unknown.

A drawing of the West Kennet Barrow as it looked in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Avebury Manor

The Avebury Manor dovecote.