{"product_id":"9781785900488","title":"Mrs Keppel: Mistress to the King","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlice Keppel was one of the most remarkable courtesans in British history. She was extraordinary for a number of reasons—not least that she was the lover of Edward VII for many years, though she managed to avoid much of the stigma attached to being a royal mistress. In fact, Edward was so devoted to her that he insisted she be received wherever he went.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Mrs. Keppel, it was not how things were that mattered, but how they appeared. Her precepts were those of the English upper classes: discretion, manners, and charm. Sexual fidelity was for those lower down the social scale, but the appearance, at least, of civilized marriage was vital; as essential as pearls, furs, and a hat at Ascot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAside from her relationship with Edward VII, Alice Keppel is also noted for being the mother of Violet Trefusis, famously the lover of Vita Sackville-West, and, intriguingly, great-grandmother to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, once a royal mistress herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTom Quinn, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eBackstairs Billy\u003c\/i\u003e , unearths the fascinating story of Mrs. Keppel, revealing her to have been one of the most compelling characters of the Edwardian era: charming, voracious, selfish, manipulative, and indeed, strikingly modern.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eTom Quinn\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of \u003ci\u003eLondon's Strangest Tales\u003c\/i\u003e and many more titles, including the bestselling \u003ci\u003eBackstairs Billy: The Life of William Tallon, the Queen Mother's Most Devoted Servant\u003c\/i\u003e . He lives in London. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Biteback Publishing, Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47058202493168,"sku":"9781785900488","price":27.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781785900488_p0.jpg?v=1763728901","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781785900488","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}