title: The Strange Affair of Madeleine Smith: Victorian Scotland's Trial of the Century
author:  Douglas MacGowan 
description: <b>Douglas MacGowan</b> is a freelance writer. He has contributed articles to <i>Celtic Heritage</i>, the <i>Scottish Journal</i> and the <i>Scotsman</i>. He lives near San Francisco, where he works as a paralegal.
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  Thanks go to my editor, Kate Seaver, and editorial assistant, Katherine Pelz,
  for all their efforts in support of this book. Also to those at Berkley who do
  so much work “ behind the scenes” to take a book from manuscript to printed
  novel.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  #
  
  
  
  
  
  And as always, to my husband, Forrest, for being there.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Chapter 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  
  
  All of London was amazed to learn of the sudden marriage of Lady I—S—and Lord
  M—M—, brother of the Duke of K—,last evening. The lady in question had her
  Come-Out and her Wedding the same night, leading debutantes to plead with
  fathers to make their coming-out balls just as eventful.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _—From a London society newspaper, February 1875_
  
  
  
  
  
  ###  SEPTEMBER 1881
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Isabella’s footman rang the bell at the house of Lord Mac Mackenzie on Mount
  Street, while Isabella waited in the landau, wondering for the dozenth time
  since she’d set off whether this were wise.
  
  
  
  
  
  Perhaps Mac would b