A Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory

Set in the late 18th century, this historical novel delves into the complexities of the British slave trade through the intertwined lives of Frances Scott, a genteel woman seeking financial security, and Mehuru, an educated African man captured and sold into slavery. As Frances marries Josiah Cole, a merchant aspiring to climb the social ladder through the slave trade, she becomes entangled in the moral and emotional turmoil of her husband's business. The story explores themes of power, exploitation, and forbidden love, as Frances and Mehuru form an unexpected bond that challenges societal norms and forces them to confront their own beliefs and desires.