A Lady’s Fortune

By Jane Dunn

What it’s about?

In Regency England, twenty-seven-year-old Leonora Appleby is considered by many – herself included – to be beyond her most eligible marrying years. With her childhood home, Hasterleigh Manor, soon to be taken over by the heir to the land, George Lockwood, Leonora has happily resigned herself to a quiet life as a country Miss.

But life has a way of springing surprises and the return of the brooding war hero Earl Rokeby, presumed dead on the French battlefields, to the magnificent neighbouring Rokeby Abbey has the village atwitter with speculation. Earl Rokeby has returned, scarred in mind and body, with news for Leonora’s best friend Charlotte Blythe – news that will change everything.

Now Charlotte and Leonora must travel to Town for the Season and take their futures and fate into their own hands in the whirl of balls, parties and gossip. But will either of them return to Hasterleigh with a husband and a fortune, and what other secrets does the devastatingly dashing Alistair Rokeby have up his silken sleeves…

What I think:

Regency romances are such a comfort read for me.

Despite the predictability, I love the journey to the happy ending – the brooding rakes, the surprisingly feisty heroines and the drama along the way.

Leonora is set to move out of her home as her father’s heir is ready to claim the manor. At 27, she is happily on the shelf and has accepted her quiet country life. Her best friend, Charlotte Blythe,is young and beautiful with a mysterious past. As the adopted daughter of the local vicar, no one knows who her real parents are.

Leonora and Charlotte enjoy quiet days reading and swimming in the lake at nearby Rokeby Abbey. Long left empty,  it’s the talk of the neighbourhood when the mysterious Earl of Rokeby turns up.

Of course he is dark and brooding, gorgeous but troubled. He soon turns both Leonora and Charlotte’s life upside down.

This is a fun and romantic read. Leonora is a great leading lady and there’s a fabulous dog who stealS every scene he is in which is always a winner for me.

I have really enjoyed all Jane Dunn’s Regency romances so far and will definitely read any future books she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley for my gifted digital copy of A Lady’s Fortune.