Novel celebration of Mills & Boon

Ham House, in Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey, will feature in Scandalous Innocent, which is published on Friday.

The house, built in 1610 for Sir Thomas Vavasour, Knight Marshal to James I, features heavily in the story by Juliet Landon.

The author weaves the story of her fictional heroines into the lives of two past Ham House residents, the extrovert Duchess of Lauderdale, who lived there in the 17th century, and the 6th Earl of Dysart, who made the house his home in the early 19th century.

The first part of the novel, set in 1676, features Miss Phoebe Laker, who lives at Mortlake and is friends with Elizabeth, Duchess of Lauderdale. Phoebe is in love with Sir Leo Hawkynne who challenges her to a duel. If she wins, they must marry, but Sir Leo wins and it is this scene which Miss Laker's descendant, Phoebe Donville, sees when she has a vision in the Great Hall in the second part of the story set in 1803.

John Stachiewicz, publisher for the National Trust, said: "Based in Richmond, Mills & Boon is the closest publisher to Ham House, and thus the natural choice for what we all hope will be more than just a flirtation. We are delighted with Scandalous Innocent and look forward to a warm relationship with the nation's favourite romance publisher."

Clare Somerville, Mills & Boon's sales and marketing director, said: "From the gorgeous outfits and decadent settings, to the passionate – and occasionally scandalous – encounters, Mills & Boon Historicals capture the romantic essence of an era.

"Scandalous Innocent is brimming with sumptuous delights and we are thrilled with Juliet Landon's latest novel."