Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant (née Margaret Oliphant Wilson) (4 April 1828 – 25 June 1897), was a Scottish novelist and historical writer, who usually wrote as Mrs. Oliphant. Her fictional works encompass "domestic realism, the historical novel and tales of the supernatural".The story really revolves around Theo's love story with the widowed Lady Markland (a terrific character) and Chatty's love story with wild Dick Cavendish. Add to this Dick's scandalous history and Theo's hatred of Lady Markland's son, and you have a book that you won't want to put down.