Max, Lord Davenham inherits an estate with monstrous debts.
Saving the estate becomes his reason for existence. He
borrows some money from a savvy businessman and sets out for
the West Indies to become a prosperous businessman himself.
Leaving behind his aunt, who adores society and has no idea
of the difficulties ahead, to stay in London may have been
the worst decision Max made.
Abigail Chantry and her sister were both raised in a home
for distressed young ladies when their parents died. Older
than Jane, Abby has worked as a governess. When she learns
that her sister is to be a companion to an old lady, Abby is
thrilled that Jane will be coming to London. When she is
approached on her half day off by a maid, Abby learns that
the whole job was a scam. Jane is currently fighting for
her virtue in a brothel.
With Daisy's help, Abby rescues Jane and another young
woman, Damaris, from the brothel. When her employer turns
her out, Abby and the three young ladies form a plan to find
themselves a happy ending.
As usual, things don't quite go they way they expect and the
four young women are living in a condemned building with
nothing left. Abby sees a house on the block that looks
like it may contain something worth stealing and sets out
across the rooftops. Inside the home, Abby discovers
nothing but an old lady being abused and ignored by her
servants.
Lady Davenham has been bedridden ever since a fall left her
to the mercy of her uncaring servants. When Abby volunteers
to rescue her, she seizes the chance. In a few short days,
the Chance sisters have moved in with their aunt, Lady Bea.
In the meantime, a wayward letter has finally found Max.
His aunt's old friend complains that Lady Bea hasn't been
seen in a very long time by her friends. Most of the letter
was unreadable to due salt water exposure. Max returns to
London the first ship to find out the truth. It's been ten
years since he left England and he has no idea what he will
find on his return.
More serious in tone than some of Ms. Gracie's stories, THE
AUTUMN BRIDE will still be a big hit with her fans. There
were some amusing situations and conversations but the
topics of forced prostitution and enormous debts are better
suited to the serious tone of the book. Ms. Gracie has done
a fabulous job of delivering a twist where ingenuity and
industrious living pay off in unexpected ways. This is the
start of a new series. If you haven't read Anne Gracie,
this would be a good place to start. Fans of Ms. Gracie
have something new to look forward to.
Ill fortune has brought once-respectable governess,
Abigail Chantry, her younger sister and their two friends
to the verge of destitution. When breaking into a mansion
in desperation, Abby discovers the elderly owner, Lady
Beatrice Davenham, bedridden and neglected. Abby and the
old lady hatch a plan for Abby and her three 'sisters'
to
come live at the mansion and set about improving all of
their lives. Until Lady Beatrice's nephew Max arrives in
London.
Max, now the head of a vast and profitable trading empire,
is returning to London to settle down, marry a beautiful
high-born lady, and breed some heirs. He's horrified to
find his aunt apparently under the sway of impostors, led
by an opinionated spinster who has the temerity to defy a
man in his own house. But to Max's concern, finds he's
enjoying their exchanges a little too much. Falling in
love was not in Max's plan. Nor was it in Abby's.
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