SOLVED. Gothic romance set in 1800s. Spoiler ahead... [s]

[Heather]

I believe the heroine is an upper class, not noble woman, who is wooed and won by an older nobleman. He gives her a really strange engagement ring, very heavy with a large black stone in it. She moves to his house, which is supposedly haunted by a woman wearing black. She sees this woman in the yard from time to time. At some point, I think she has a son. There is a local man who becomes a friend and confidante when she begins to believe she is going crazy.




Spoiler Alert**





She isn't going crazy. The woman is her husband's mistress. Her husband is trying to kill her. The book ends with the friend, the heroine and her son (?) escaping in a carriage from the burning house.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did you read it or about when was it published? Author female or male? Remember the cover? Set in what country or region?

[Heather]

I read it in the mid to late '70s to early '80s, the author was female, and it was set in England. It was a paperback with a dark cover, but I can't remember any details about it.

[CrazyUnicorn]

Maybe one of Victoria Holts books. Or her other pen name Philippa Carrs books.

[Heather]

I know it wasn't Victoria Holt. I'll check Phillippa Carr.

[Kris]

Author Philippa Carr - mentioned by Luci

[Heather]

I went through the Philippa Carr books, and while I remember reading some of them, it wasn't one of them. I also went through Phyllis A. Whitney, Dorothy Eden, Jane Aiken Jones and Madeline Brent. So far, no luck. I did remember reading some of theirs, too.

[Holly]

Maybe check this list? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

[Heather]

Holly wrote: "Maybe check this list? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8..."

I think I may have found it. I've ordered a copy of the book, and will see. It may be Greygallows.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Kris]

Moved to the "Possibly Solved" folder. Please come back and let us know if your request is solved or if you're still looking for the book. Good luck!

Added a spoiler alert to the topic header.

[Heather]

Definitely Greygallows! Solved!