Mary Ann Gibbs (1900–1985)

It's April, 1794 when our story opens. Martha, Sukey, and Charles Lingford have been left orphaned and with little money. Of their mother's brothers, Uncle John would willingly give them a home, but he's not well off and his own family crowds his small house. Uncle Josiah is comfortably well off, but he married money. Perhaps his wife might have been willing to take in Martha and Charles, but she certainly doesn't want the lovely Sukey around when she has two daughters of her own to marry off.

Henry Lingford cut his son off when he married a lovely lady who was no heiress. Will he be willing to take Vincent's children in? He certainly hasn't bothered to answer Uncle John's letter. Their grandfather isn't at all hospitable when the Lingfords arrive in Rydd.

Charles is only 13. Martha would never admit it, but Sukey is spoiled and doesn't understand that they can't afford the things she wants. The burden of their care is going to fall on Martha's capable shoulders if their grandfather can't be brought to mend his ways.

In the meantime, handsome, wealthy, and bored Meldrum Connington, son of Henry's old aquaintance, Sir William, is intrigued by Martha's total lack of interest in flattering and captivating him for being an eligible matrimonial prize.

When they moved to their father's home town, the Lingfords moved to smuggling territory. Is their grandfather guilty of anything more than accepting French brandy? Do expect the trade to play some part in this tale. If you think that Martha will be called upon to prove her mettle in a dangerous situation, pat yourself on the back.

The French Revolution has already devolved into the Reign of Terror. In chapter two we learn about a tasteless new hairdo that some of the English have adopted as a result. It's as well that no one at Meldrum, Sir William's estate, has chosen to wear it because his old friend, the Marquis de Salle, and his family are anxious to escape France. They've already lost their daughter and her husband.

Drum and the Lingfords' maiden Aunt Deb may agree that they dislike independence in women, but I like Martha. I also like the fate her obnoxious grandfather brings upon himself.

The name of the cover artist is not given in the book. 'Fignelhirt' is the best I can do with the tiny signature in the lower right corner [My copy is the one with Martha and Meldrum on the cover].… (meer)