Elinor might have good business sense, learned from her Cotton King father in Manchester. But her devouring of romantic novels leads her to believe she has fallen for her very own Mr Darcy when the heir to an earldom carries her along on a whirlwind courtship. The fact the earldom is on the verge of bankruptcy and needs a strong cash injection is a by the way.
Elinor learns that rebellion against the strict rules and values of this ancient aristocratic family is futile. When her son is born she sees with horror the life he will lead – largely without her – so that when the opportunity arises of changing everything, she grabs it with desperate hands.
Quinn’s historical settings are beautifully done, with broad strokes and little details to bring them to life – I could smell that shared outhouse, feel the steam on my skin on washing day, and breath the claustrophobic air of seven people sharing two rooms.
Elinor is a strong character, with enough fear and doubt to make her real, driven by her love for her son. I especially liked the way Frederick was painted – no unfeeling monster here, but a man who knew the rules and tried to get Elinor comfortable with ‘the way we do things here’.
A pacy and engaging read, with enough tension to keep you wanting to know what next. I wasn’t 100% sure about the resolution and Elinor’s confidence in it, but good on her for taking the risk.
Recommended.
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