Bargain Books

Biographies of high society shenanigans, from a time when people dressed for dinner and a lot went on behind closed doors, have intrigued me since working at Leeds Castle last year.

Anglo American heiress Lady Baillie bought Leeds Castle in 1926 and transformed it into a weekend retreat for the rich and famous entertaining guests from David Niven to Charlie Chaplin to Errol Flynn and even Edward and Wallace Simpson.

I found this book 'The Temptress' on Amazon a few days ago and saved it to my wish list as a book I'd love to read and pass onto one of my friends who is a castle guide. The synopsis says: "A beautifully written biography of Alice, Countess de Janze, the beguiling and volatile temptress of Kenya's 'White Mischief' set of the 1940s."

Imagine my delight when today I discovered this book in a used book store for just £2! I bought another five books for the grand total of £3.50. They're all unread and near mint condition. That's a few Christmas presents sorted for my family. This year it's about traditional gifts and the thought. Just as it should be!