About the Book:
She is discontented with the need to find a husband from the best society has to offer.
He keeps to the edges of society through fear of condemnation.
Will the written word be enough to bring them together?
Lady Edith Longdon is an heiress, yet is in danger of being classed a spinster. She just can’t find a husband from the fops and dandies she socializes with on a daily basis.
Lord Ralph Pensby is trying to do the best by his mother, who has an illness which is defying the doctors, but feels adrift from society.
Edith decides it’s time to take events into her own hands and places an advertisement in the Times newspaper, looking for a potential match. She’s convinced it’s the most foolproof way of reaching the right kind of person. Surely nothing could go wrong?
Two people drawn together, both on a journey which will affect them in ways they could never have foreseen.
Secret correspondence, mistrust, and confusion, not to mention cads of the highest order, make this novel a fast-paced, funny, heartrending story of strong heroines and romantic heroes. Perfect for lovers of all things Regency.
Purchase Links:
US – Lady Edith’s Lonely Heart
About the Author:
Author Bio – AMAZONUK KINDLE STORYTELLER COMPETITION FINALIST 2018!
Audrey was born about two hundred years too late. She wants to belong to a time when men were men and women were dressed in gowns and could float, simper and sigh.
In the real world she has always longed to write, writing a full manuscript when she was fourteen years old. Work, marriage and children got in the way as they do and it was only when an event at work landed her in hospital that she decided to take stock. One Voluntary Redundancy later, she found that the words and characters came to the forefront and the writing began in earnest.
So, although at home more these days, the housework is still neglected and meals are still late on the table, but she has an understanding family, who usually shake their heads at her and sigh. That is a sign of understanding, isn’t it?
My Review:
Ralph Swanson, Earl Pensby, is a despondent and solitary man, who mostly avoids society, and spends much time successfully gambling. It’s not that he has any particular love for gaming, it’s just that when he is forced to concentrate, his mind turns away from his personal life and problems. Ralph’s beloved mother has a mysterious illness, one which causes her to have unexpected “attacks.” Her doctor wants to admit her to an asylum for treatment, but Ralph is not having it. He loves his mother dearly, and regularly departs town to spend time with her in the family estate just outside of London. Ralph feels he can never marry, as he could never bring a wife to the home where his mother basically lives as an invalid, and he will never move her to the dower house. So he’s resigned to his lonely and painful existence.
Lady Edith is just making her debut at the age of twenty-three, and is dangerously close to being classified as a spinster. She unfortunately lost her father and two brothers, and her family has been in mourning. Thank heavens her brother, Miles, made it back safely from the war. Miles is one of Ralph’s few friends, and constantly tries to bring him more into society. Edith, upon meeting Ralph for the first time as an adult, is somewhat put off by his direct manner, and they part on less than good terms.
Ralph had been told by Miles that Edith was outspoken and different, and he approached her in that manner. He’s surprised when she takes offense to his plain speaking. Still, he can’t deny that he looks forward to seeing her again. Over their next meetings, they overcome their previous tiff, and begin to become somewhat friendly. Ralph takes care, however, to ensure that Edith is aware that he has no plans to marry, lest her thoughts are leaning in that direction.
Edith does long for marriage and a family, but the fortune hunters seem to be the only men interested in courting her. The only man who has caught Edith’s fancy is one who says he’ll never marry. But, maybe, just maybe, she can change his mind. She’s sure that she’s seen a spark of interest in Ralph’s eyes when he looks at her.
An unexpected turn of events places Edith in the sphere of Ralph’s mother, and soon Ralph’s orderly and solitary world is shaken and stirred. Though the greater part of LADY EDITH’S LONELY HEART deals with Ralph and Edith finding their way to each other, there is also plenty of family drama, heartbreaking moments, a villainous scorned suitor, a newspaper ad looking for a potential husband, and much soul searching. Ralph’s extreme love for his mother, along with his determination to keep her alive, blinded him to seeing that he was actually attempting to control her very existence, while exiling himself to a solitary life. His mother is a truly admirable character, and she, along with Miles, add significantly to the story.
I enjoyed reading LADY EDITH’S LONELY HEART, which has a genuine historical feel to it. Both Ralph and Edith made some mistakes and poor choices, but they are good people whose hearts are in the right place. Though Edith is strong and bright, she made a very poor decision which almost cost her greatly. I admire that she was able to admit her mistake and move on. Ralph is a caring and devoted man who feels deeply, and just didn’t use good judgment. I love his hidden romantic streak, and how he expressed himself so eloquently in written words he couldn’t say out loud. I think that LADY EDITH’S LONELY HEART will appeal to readers who enjoy a sweet and traditional romance. ~Rose
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