Will the legendary curse of the Peacock fan determine her destiny? Even since that fateful day when Drusilla Delaney as a young child innocently carried a beautiful peacock fan, its history of calamity overshadowed her life.

Daughter of a brilliant scholar but humble rural parson, Drusilla knew from childhood the restrictions of her rural existence in Victorian England. While their life was comfortable as long as her father lived, the parsonage was not their own. Her life and that of the small community where they lived would be dominated by the House of Framling and especially by the strength and force of Lady Harriet, her strong-willed and handsome son, Fabian, and her beautiful, selfish and arrogant daughter Lavinia.

Due to circumstances, Drusillia's life became closely linked with the Framling family and enjoys their favour, but she is ever mindful of the class barriers between. Constantly overshadowed by Lavinia's beauty and lifestyle, Drusilla is well liked for her wit and intelligence by her longstanding friends and the men in her life. While her heart might leap for joy from a small touch of the finger, she knows it cannot be.

After the death of her father, Drusilla, while largely compliant to the expectations of the times, does nicely manage to sidestep the wishes of Lady Harriet and a marriage of convenience, and heads for India to join up with Lavinia and her family there. But, as rebellion and mutiny take over the country, what will happen to her? Will the curse of the fan ruin her life as well?

This is a new 2013 re-issue of one of Victoria Holt's most well-loved romantic suspense novels originally published in 1988. Victoria Holt is a pseudonym of Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert (passed away in 1993) who wrote many, many other books under the names, such as Jean Plaidy, Philippa Carr and Kathleen Kellow. True to the nature of Victorians times, the plot develops slowly with little hints and foreshadowing of what might occur, yet, THE INDIA FAN is still a very absorbing and suspenseful read. Due to Fabian's linkage with the East India Company, the story follows Drusilla's journeys from pastoral England to schooling in France and then to India where dramatic action and an heroic escape occurs against the backdrop of the Indian Mutiny and the battle at Lucknow. A story of Victorian repression, passion and power you don't want to miss! Enjoy!