Ulverscroft
3 total works
When Eustacia Hope is jilted at the altar, her parents decide to save her reputation by sending her to stay with her godmother, Lady Agatha Rayner, a clergyman's widow. Eustacia's mother warns her to have nothing to do with Lady Agatha's brother, the notorious Lord Ashbourne, nor with his son, Lord Ilam. Eustacia soon discovers that her godmother, too, has a hidden side, as she plots and schemes to remain in the vicarage in defiance of the bishop's wishes.Soon after her arrival, Eustacia meets Lord Ilam who, although an attractive man in his own right, has always felt as if he was living in his father's shadow. The two are attracted to one another, and Ilam even takes her to meet his foster family, who farm locally.But it is only after the arrival of Eustacia's estranged fiance and the unexpected appearance of Lord Ashbourne that matters can be resolved in a way that is satisfactory to all parties.
When Captain Scorer died in action, his wife Eve was obliged to seek refuge with her cousin Julia. Treated as a poor relation and pursued by Julia's admirer, Eve is thankful when escape is offered through the bequest of a bookshop in Clerkenwell.What she does not know is that Colonel Jason 'Blazes' Ballantyne, her husband's commanding officer, has been ordered by William Pitt to make enquiries concerning a code book that has been left in the book shop by French spies. A mixture of incidents and rumours convince Jason that Eve's reputation is dubious; but that does not prevent attraction flaring between them.How matters are satisfactorily resolved in the end makes a consistently entertaining novel.
Emily Whittaker's life in Lincoln is one of good works and the closest thing to romance in her experience is her lukewarm relationship with Dr Boyle. A new friendship with Nathalie Fanshawe brings interest to her life and makes possible a welcome visit to the seaside. On her return to Lincoln, she finds that Canon Trimmer and his family have moved into the cathedral close and visiting them is Mrs Trimmer's brother, Sir Gareth Blades. The baronet seems to be a figure of romance and, to Emily's amazement, he appears to be attracted to her. But the arrival of Annis Hughes convinces Emily that there is a mysterious side to Sir Gareth and the discovery of a connection between the baronet and Mrs Fanshawe leads Emily to think the very worst. Is Sir Gareth the gallant gentleman he appears, or a heartless rake and would Emily be better off settling for Dr Boyle after all?