Counsellor

the long version

In the heart of Louisiana, the most powerful people in the South live behind elegant gates, mossy trees, and pleasant masks. Once every ten years, the pretense falls away and a tournament is held to determine who will rule them. The Acquisition is a crucible for the Southern nobility, a love letter written to a time when barbarism was enshrined as law.Now, Sinclair Vinemont is in the running to claim the prize. There is only one way to win, and he has the key to do it -- Stella Rousseau, his Acq