Louisa and Valentine Carnell have lived their constrained lives dominated by their strict father, Sir Clement Carnell. His death provides a sense of release, and they embrace their newfound freedom with enthusiasm. Valentine throws open their Devonshire estate of Pennacombe to their fashionable London-based cousins, and their mysterious friend Lady Harriet Eversholt, while Louisa feels free to reject Pearce Lynley, the man chosen by her father as her prospective husband.
The temptations of Regency London beckon, and while Louisa enjoys her newfound freedom and searches for a new suitor, Valentine overindulges in gambling, and then falls in love with the beautiful, scandalous and very married Lady Harriet Eversholt.
The follies of the Carnells could lead to disaster, but with the help of their good friend James Tresilian, the siblings come to realise what - and who - is important to them.
`She is a guest, Mr Lynley, not a governess.'
I enjoyed this novel, and would agree with those who see similarities to the observational wit of Jane Austen and the dashing romance of Georgette Heyer. It is light entertainment for sure, but not frivolous.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith