A very pleasant summer reading served by a noble English writing with undeniable charm. This historical novel plunges us into England in the late 16th century. Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen, reign with an iron hand on her subjects, she made and unmade reputations and lives. Among nobles, everything is governed by the label. Men serve their sovereign, women give their heirs and take home. As one gentleman "What's love got to do with marriage? Marriage is a transaction "There is therefore no question of hoping to make a love match, and even less to choose her husband. The bulk of the story recounts the life and thoughts of Ann More, the feelings she feels for John Donne and the evolution thereof. It is besides it, the narrator. But that's not all. This is also an opportunity to portray life at the court, the concerns of nobles, common people life, the persecution of Catholics ... and especially the status of women at the time. Fortunately, since then, things have changed !! But it took Ann More to shake consciences. I enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere of the time, finding myself immersed in refined and accurate descriptions both those mansions, domestic, culinary or medicinal habits or the political and social context. A delicious story compared with those of Jane Austen or Bronte saeurs but has nothing conventional; a history of high precision part that knows how to blend into the story without adding weight; a love story while tenderness and modesty; in short, a book to read.