Old Love's Domain cover

Old Love's Domain

by Bromige

A triple tragedy drives Laura to take refuge in a dream world of long ago at Melloney Park. This gracious Jacobean house and garden once belonged to an Edwardian musician and is now open to the public. As its custodian Laura finds it a haven from the harsh world outside and the spirit of the family who once lived there is a soothing balm which protects her from the necessity of looking forward. Only Ian Vestry, the young friend of her uncle's who found her the job, is an insisting presence threatening to break through her anaesthetised tranquillity. So Roger Malmesbury's offer of marriage based on friendship and a common interest in the house seems at first a way to complete her insulation against all intrusive and disturbing emotion. The only trouble is that Laura finds there are two people inside her. One huddled against life, clasping an enchanted dream world, the other uncurling painfully, looking round with frightened eyes, recognising perhaps too late that marriage requires more than mere friendship.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?