The Elegant Mind

William's appearance was majestic, far removed from the innocent, naïve youth banished to France all those years ago. Tall and handsome, he could talk confidently on almost any topic, his captivating charm and eloquence drawing his audience to the edge of their seats with expectation. With his return to England, his father sent him to London to study law. He had no interest in this and soon fell into a life of theatre, writing and pleasure. He was engaged in many intrigues, the most infamous of which was his very risky liaison with Barbara, Duchess of Cleveland, one of the several mistress' of Charles II. His dissolute life attracted the displeasure of his father, although his writing earned him the patronage of the King. Yet, he soon had to deal with the consequences of an unwise, secret marriage and his ever rising debts. The Elegant Mind is a gripping, novelistic account of William Wycherley, a dramatist of the Restoration period.