The House of Dreams-Come-True

In Short

Margaret Pedler’s romance follows Jean Peterson, an spirited young woman who leaves her sunlit European travels behind to visit friends in the moody, rolling hills of Devon. Upon her arrival, she finds herself drawn to Blaise Tormarin, a brooding country gentleman whose past is shadowed by a disastrous former engagement. As Jean navigating the aggressive courtships of rival suitors and the scheming of jealous acquaintances, she and Blaise fall deeply in love, only for a hidden truth to tear them apart. Loved for its atmosphere of dramatic tension, high emotion, and vivid English landscapes, it remains a quintessential early-twentieth-century story of perseverance in love.

The Story

The narrative begins with Jean Peterson traveling to England to stay with her late father’s old friends, Lady Anne and her son Nick, at their Devonshire estate, Staple. Intrigued by rumors of a dark tragedy in the Tormarin family, Jean soon meets Blaise Tormarin, a sinewy, dark-browed man burdened by bitterness over his former fiancée, Nesta Freyne. Despite his cold demeanor, Blaise is drawn to Jean's warmth and steady optimism. Their shared moments—from ice skating on frozen alpine lakes to walking across the misty expanses of Dartmoor—gradually thaw Blaise's guarded heart, and Jean finds herself falling in love with him.

However, Jean’s beauty and charm attract the intense devotion of Geoffrey Burke, a forceful, headstrong neighbor who refuses to take no for an answer. Burke, egged on by his calculating relative Judith, decides to win Jean at any cost. Ignored by Jean, Burke resorts to reckless measures, orchestrating a scheme that traps Jean overnight at his remote moorland bungalow to force her into marriage through public scandal. Jean courageously defies his intimidation, escaping out into the night mist and back to safety with the help of Blaise, who rides out into the dark to locate her.

Following the ordeal, Blaise and Jean acknowledge their intense love for one another and become happily engaged. But their joy is cut short when Madame de Varigny, a sophisticated acquaintance, reveals a devastating secret: Blaise’s former wife, Nesta, whom everyone believed dead, is actually still alive. Bound by honor and society's laws, Blaise accepts his duty to bring Nesta back to Staple and live as her husband in the eyes of the world, leaving Jean heartbroken.

Devastated, Jean retreats to the quiet sanctuary of Charnwood to rebuild her life alongside her friends. Geoffrey Burke reappears, humbled by the harm his earlier arrogance caused and seeking only to protect her, but Jean remains steadfastly faithful to her memory of Blaise. Cruel twists of fate ultimately intervene: a catastrophic fire breaks out at the castle estate, reducing the symbol of their past heartbreaks to ashes. In the aftermath of the disaster and the resolution of the secrets that kept them apart, Jean and Blaise meet among the smoking ruins at dawn. Jean realizes that her "House of Dreams" was never a physical place made of stone and mortar, but a state of mind found wherever true love resides.

How It Unfolds

The chance meeting Jean Peterson encounters a mysterious, scowling Englishman while skating on a frozen rink in Switzerland. Though they exchange few words, his striking presence and singular lock of white hair leave a lasting impression on her before she departs for Devon.

Arrival at Staple Upon arriving at the misty Devonshire estate, Jean settles into country life alongside Lady Anne and Nick. She soon discovers that the moody stranger from the rink is Blaise Tormarin, a man haunted by a shattered past who guards his emotions fiercely.

A dangerous obsession Geoffrey Burke falls desperately in love with Jean and vows to win her despite her obvious preference for Blaise. Assisted by the cynical Judith, Burke sets a trap, using a forged wire to lure Jean to his isolated bungalow on the moor.

Flight through the mist Realizing she has been trapped into a scandal to force her hand in marriage, Jean defies Burke and escapes into the dense moorland fog. Blaise rides out on his roan horse, Orion, tracking her down and bringing her safely home, leading to their formal engagement.

The shadow of the past Just as Jean and Blaise prepare for their future together, Madame de Varigny reveals that Blaise's supposedly dead wife, Nesta, is still alive. Duty forces Blaise to take Nesta back, separating him from Jean and leaving her to grieve at Charnwood.

Dawn among the ruins A catastrophic fire consumes the estate, destroying the physical house that witnessed their long trials. Standing together before the smoldering wreckage as the sun rises, Jean and Blaise reconcile, recognizing that their true home exists within their shared devotion.

The People

• Jean Peterson: A bright, optimistic young woman of twenty who has spent much of her life abroad. Independent and warm-hearted, she seeks genuine connection and refuses to compromise her values, ultimately transforming from a carefree traveler into a resilient woman capable of deep, enduring love.
• Blaise Tormarin: A stern, dark-featured landed gentleman carrying the heavy scars of past betrayals. Though hardened and cynical at first, his icy exterior melts under Jean’s sincerity, driving him to confront both his fiery temper and his rigid sense of moral duty.
• Geoffrey Burke: A wealthy, dominant, and reckless suitor who believes he can conquer Jean’s reluctance through sheer force of will. After his aggressive tactics fail and cause Jean deep distress, he undergoes a sobering reality check, learning that love cannot be coerced.
• Judith: Geoffrey’s detached and manipulative companion, whose bitterness toward Jean’s father leads her to abet Geoffrey's scheme, though she eventually harbors quiet regrets.
• Claire and Nick Brennan: Loyal friends who provide warmth, humor, and a stable shelter for Jean as she navigates the turbulent storms of her romantic trials.

In Its Own Voice

“It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, / To the House of Dreams-Come-True, / Its Hills are steep and its valleys deep, / And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, / Wayfarers--I and you.”

Jean sings this sentimental song at the piano, setting the central motif for her long and painful journey toward emotional fulfillment.

“I tell you, if you were another man’s wife I’d take you away from him! You’re mine--every inch of you, body and soul.”

Geoffrey Burke corners Jean at the bungalow, revealing the possessive, tempestuous nature of his obsessive passion.

“Beirnfels was only a symbol, after all. My House of Dreams-Come-True isn’t built of stones and mortar. No one’s is. It’s just--where love is.”

Jean reflects quietly to Blaise while gazing at the ruin of the estate, coming to terms with the true meaning of happiness.

What It's Really About

Beneath its romantic melodrama, the novel explores the tension between honor, self-will, and emotional maturity. It examines how destructive passion differs from genuine love; while Geoffrey Burke attempts to capture and command Jean through domination, Blaise and Jean’s relationship grows through shared values and respect. The book continuously asks whether happiness is something constructed by external circumstances—like an estate or social standing—or an internal state cultivated through patience and loyalty. The recurring motif of the "House of Dreams" emphasizes that true fulfillment requires enduring steep hills and deep valleys of grief before one can reach a peaceful, lasting sanctuary.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers looking for classic early-20th-century melodrama will find much to enjoy in this novel's lush gothic atmosphere and high-stakes romantic conflict. Margaret Pedler excels at creating vivid atmospheric contrasts, shifting seamlessly from the crisp, sparkling ice rinks of the Swiss Alps to the gloomy, rain-swept tors of Dartmoor. The prose carries a nostalgic warmth, capturing the dramatic flair of an era when chivalry, scandalous secrets, and high moral dilemmas dominated popular romance.

Readers should be prepared for period conventions, including somewhat theatrical dialogue, deliberate pacing, and clear-cut melodramatic tropes—such as the overbearing suitor and the long-lost spouse. Yet, the story remains remarkably engaging because Jean is no passive damsel; she possesses a strong spine, resisting coercion and facing hardship with dignity. It is an ideal weekend read for fans of classic melodramas who appreciate sweeping landscapes, intense emotional stakes, and the reassuring promise that devotion can overcome the dark mists of misfortune.