Victoria's hopes to rekindle Christmas at Pendywick Place while working to retrieve her unbreakable code may collide with Basil Collingwood's tragic past, and her old guardian's ruthless plot... Victoria soon learns that Christmas is forbidden at Pendywick Place. A tragic shadow from Basil Collingwood's past seems to loom over the season. Nevertheless, Basil plans to take Victoria to the Hampton Court Christmas Ball, to confront his former mentor-and her attempted-murderer-Professor Winchester. If they can steal back Victoria's unbreakable code from him, they may save England itself. But what if they cannot? "The Scarlet Gown" is the second installment in Alydia Rackham's captivating Victorian mystery series. If you like a Dickensian atmosphere, Sherlockian thrills, and Austenian intrigue, you will love this adventure.