Every year, the Lamberts hosted an autumn ball to celebrate the usually abundant and profitable harvest.All of the nobles and their families from the surrounding estates were invited, including those villagers from Lime Regence who contributed to the sustained welfare of the Lamberts by virtue of their professions, the land purveyor, the vicar, the banker, and the doctor.

Charles had already seduced Dr. Rodney Thwaite's wife, Beryl, the only lady in the village who possessed ...