The immortal flame

The immortal flame by Marie Bjelke Petersen is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Isma Folkestone, a famed beauty who flees to a secluded Australian coast to escape scandal, only to be tested by her cousin Captain Falcon Folkestone’s cool contempt and Lord Berriedale’s dangerous infatuation. Framed by striking seascapes and bush, the story probes reputation, temptation, and the steep price of loyalty to a dying friend.

The opening of the novel finds Isma claiming a cliffside hideaway with her loyal ex-governess, Miss Livingston, vowing to forget a past marked by envy and rumor. Falcon unexpectedly arrives, mocking her retreat and warning her about “prudence,” then returns to reveal he will settle nearby and that Lord and Lady Berriedale have taken The Bluff along the coast. At The Bluff, Beatrice Berriedale—devoted to her husband and fragile in health—revels in the vast Australian light while her sister Rita bristles with jealousy and the sly secretary Rex watches, amused. Isma resumes close daily visits for Beatrice’s sake, scrupulously avoiding Neville Berriedale, until a picnic day leaves her alone at the house: after she sings, Neville corners her and presses his suit; Falcon’s sudden entrance breaks the moment, and he drives Isma home through a violent storm. The next morning he gently “claims” her for a long coastal drive, and their talk loosens into warmth as they head north under a brilliant, storm-washed sky. (This is an automatically generated summary.)