The Portrait is set mainly in the summer and autumn of 1928, and opens in France where Richard Anderson, a wealthy publisher and writer is researching for a book he is writing on his home, a 17th century manor house in Berkshire, which has undergone major renovations after it being empty for almost hundred years. Whilst in France he meets Yvette, a young French woman, and after a whirlwind romance they return to England, with plans to marry some weeks later. On their arrival at the manor, Yvette sees a portrait hanging in the sitting room and asks Richard about it. He tells her of the tragic life of Thomas Courtney, the young squire of the manor in the 1820’s, and of the loss of his wife Catherine, leading to his eventual suicide. However, Richard could never have imagined the effect this was to have on Yvette. From that point she becomes obsessed with the story, having vivid dreams and imaginings, with the result that tragedy lies in wait.
