Lady Lydia Eastlake grew up surrounded by the rich and
famous with her globetrotting parents. At their unexpected
death, Lydia's world collapses and she is sent to live
quietly with an elderly guardian. When she obtains her
fortune, Lydia re-emerges into the opulent and extravagant
society that she loves. She engages in wild, impulsive
spending from beautiful paintings to sponsoring expeditions
to find Atlantis. When England falls into a severe
recession, Lydia loses all her money. She refuses the
advice of her lawyer to retire and live quietly again.
Lydia only needs to find a wealthy husband before society
learns of her dilemma.
Naval Captain Ned Lockton returns from war eager to see his
madcap family. He discovers they are on the brink of ruin
due to his nephews' antics. His elder brother and sister
beg Ned to marry an heiress to save the family. Ned loves
his siblings and agrees. He is ready to settle down to a
nice quiet life. Ned heads off to London to rein in his
nephews and find himself a bride.
Always independent and a trendsetter, Lydia finds now she
must appease the society matrons and hold her tongue. The
appearance of Ned makes her new reality easier. He engages
her mind and makes her laugh. She has found the man she
wishes to marry. Ned falls hopelessly for Lydia thinking he
has found the perfect woman. When the truth of their
finances is revealed, they must decide if love is enough.
Ms. Brockway pens an engaging romance where she looks at
society's fascination with celebrities. How people famous
for nothing but their personalities and dynamism rule
society in fashion and their actions. Lydia draws readers
into her world of excesses, but though spoiled, her love of
life makes her an appealing character.
Wealthy, orphaned Lady Lydia Eastlake reigns over Regency
England as the ton's most celebrated beauty. But she
must face losing the only life she's ever known when her
fortune suddenly disappears-and the only solution is to find
a wealthy husband. Enter Captain Ned Lockton, a rich and
dashing war hero who sends Lydia's pulse racing. Little does
she know that the enigmatic captain's family estate is
secretly on the selling block-and he's on the hunt for a
rich bride who will rescue his family from poverty...