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Welcome
back to Sommer-by-the-Sea, the vibrant village nestled on the rugged northeast
coast of England. The world here is still centered on the country village and
the lives of the landowning and professional families along with aristocrats
and gentry are the self-made men, shop owners, local workers, and servants, a
cross-section of the people of the time. Steeped in history dating back as far
as the Vikings, the villagers are proud and celebrate their heritage.
Everyone
from the elite summer residents to the year-round residence keep businesses
flourishing and gossip thriving. As with any small town, there are challenges
and successes, secrets, disagreements, and feuds. There is no shortage of
romance, mystery, drama, and even a murder or two.
The
new graduates of the Sommer-by-the-Sea Female Seminary have a unique education
along with their unusual skills. We’ll find a sought-after organizer, an accomplished
doctor, and an aspiring playwright. Along with the usual studies available, the
head mistress has nurtured each woman’s innate ability and helped them develop
into the women they are today. This shared unique experience has kept the
graduates close.
Each
lady has her own story to tell as she is called to action and must demonstrate
she is smart, strong and sensible and must challenge the accepted definition of
a “woman’s place.” For these women, arranged or political marriages will not
do. If she chooses a husband, it will be for love, on her own terms, and with a
man who will accept her as a partner.
It
is with pleasure I introduce you to these Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, and
their stories.
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Will she realize he has met his match?
Lady Anna Ravencroft shines brightly as
a much-admired organizer and hostess. In her mind it is the one thing at which
she succeeds. Inwardly she is shy, retiring… a wallflower. With two failed
seasons that ended in disaster she has accepted marriage might not be in her
future.
Lord Fraser Castleton, a London
barrister is shocked when he inherits a title and estate from his mother’s
great aunt and becomes the 8th Duke of Willbury. He returns to
Sommer-by-the-Sea to take up permanent residence. He crosses paths with his
longtime friend, Lady Anna. He confides that he is the target of every mother
with an unmarried daughter. She commiserates with him. Every eligible gentleman
sees the Ravencroft purse rather than her. Together they decide to find a mate
for each other. Anna presents him with a list of several eligible women. Castleton
is receptive, but not enthusiastic. He gives her the same reaction with the
subsequent two lists. Will she realize he has already found his match?
Richard Younge who doesn’t always play
by the rules wants to be the next Member of Parliament for his borough. His
political backer will support him if Younge can finance the campaign himself.
He suggests Younge find a wealthy wife to support his political plans. Marrying
a Ravencroft would all but guarantee not only his backer’s continued support
but provide the steady stream of money needed to claim his place amongst the
gentry. He calls on Lady Anna for assistance with a campaign event and has an
ulterior motive.
