A daring young lady and dashing lord
At Prebbles Flying Circus, the daring Eliza Gray captivates audiences with her breathtaking feats on horseback. Yet beyond the applause, she harbours a longing to find the family she lost as a child and discover who she truly is.
Fate, however, takes an unexpected turn when Eliza is unceremoniously knocked down by a curricle driven recklessly by Raven, Earl Purfoy. Dazed but intrigued, she cannot help but notice Purfoy’s
commanding presence.
For his part, the dashing lord, is mortified at his carelessness and resolves to assist the spirited yet intriguing young woman. He deposits her in the care of his dearest friends, Corinna and Alick Wolfe, who encourage Miss Gray in her search for her family and sponsor her entry into London society. The glittering balls and scurrilous gossip of the ton are a far cry from the circus ring and Eliza finds herself
the subject of intense speculation and unwelcome advances.
As a most accidental debutante, Eliza has to navigate the complexities of high society and her new friendships. Her quest for family and belonging becomes perilously entwined with Zadoc Flynn, an American heir in search of an English bride, and the unfathomable Lord Purfoy.
Can Eliza uncover the truth of her past and the family she longs for? And will it be Mr Flynn or Lord Purfoy, or indeed her new female friends, who help her find her place in the world?
In a tale of courage, passion, and self-discovery, this lost orphan must decide where she truly belongs.
Jane Dunn is an historian and biographer and the author of seven acclaimed biographies, including Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters and the Sunday Times and NYT bestseller, Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens. She lives in Berkshire with her husband, the linguist Nicholas Ostler.
Twitter: @JaneDunnAuthor
Instagram: @JaneDunnAuthor
Newsletter
Bookbub profile: @janedunn172
My thoughts: It was nice to be reunited with some of the characters from An Unsuitable Heiress (although this can be read as a standalone) as Eliza Grey runs away from the circus to society, rather than the usual way round.
Desperate to find out where she comes from and whether her family are looking for her, she flees the only home she knows and almost gets squashed by Earl Purfoy’s curricle as he races home late at night.
Rescued by the Earl and taken to the home of his best friends’ and neighbours’ the Wolfes, she finds herself with kind and generous people who offer her help and support. Corinna Wolfe, having had a similar search for family some years before (see An Unsuitable Heiress) understands Eliza’s desire for family and offers to help her as much as she can.
As Eliza searches and spends time with her new friends, she and Raven Purfoy are drawn to each other, but a rival in the form of American Zadoc Flynn offers to take her back with him to raise his race horses in Kentucky. Raven is so busy worrying about other things (stupid things tbqh) and almost misses the chance to tell Eliza how he feels.
As Eliza finally finds out where she comes from and some family she can connect with, will she return to the circus, head to America or become Countess Purfoy?
Romantic and with a bright and determined protagonist, who wants to make her own way in the world, not depend on kindness or take advantage, this is a Regency tale with modern sensibility. Very enjoyable.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 