A Commercial Enterprise

A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE

BY SANDRA HEATH

PUBLISHED BY ROBERT HALE LONDON.

ISBN978-0-7090-8997-1.





Travelling from Selford Manor in the wilds of Dartmoor, to London, Miss Caroline Lexham wondered not for the first time why her Uncle’s solicitor had thought it necessary for her to attend the reading of her Uncles will. That she could possibly be mentioned in the will of her father’s brother was unthinkable, they had been outcasts from the Lexham family ever since her Father had married her Mother. Caroline doubted that the family would accept her now, so why was she on her way to London, in this dreadful weather? She only hoped that the Mail coach, on which she was booked, could get through to London.



Caroline’s cousin, Squire Richard Marchand, had tried to dissuade her from making the journey to London, as he had every intention of marrying Caroline very shortly himself. Caroline had tried to make Richard understand that although she was very fond of him, she had no intention of ever marrying him. Caroline was determined to make the journey and sincerely hoped that the snow and bad weather would not stop her from reaching the London solicitor’s office in time to hear the will being read.

Accidental damage to the ancient coach in which she was travelling forced them to stop at an Inn where she hoped she might find a coach or the Mail to take her on to London. Caroline had a meal while she was awaited news of the Mail. While she dined she was accosted by a very unpleasant person, she gave him a severe set down in front of the many interested occupants of the room and he was furious. She later learnt that he was Lord Fynehurst. Two other people came into the Inn while Caroline was waiting, one a Lady and the other a gentleman who was obviously a real gentleman; Sir Hal Seymour was a complete contrast to the foppish Lord Fynehurst. The lady with him was Lady Chadington sister to Lord Fynehurst. Later Caroline was to be offered a seat in Sir Hal Seymour’s coach all the way to London. Which after some hesitation she gladly accepted, only to find, as they drew away from the Inn at a spanking pace, she would be travelling alone with him, which of course no young lady should ever do, or her reputation would be in shreds.

There is a really big shock in store for Caroline when she hears the will read, it is that she has been left something rather startling, in her Uncles will. Her cousin Dominic Lexham, the new Earl, is furious and swears that she will never receive her inheritance.

What can Caroline do to keep her inheritance; will she be in real danger, if she stays in London, from the Lexham family? Is Sir Hal all that he seems to be, will he help her, or will she have to return home to Dartmoor as poor as she was when she came to London.

This is a lovely Regency Romance which I have read twice already and thoroughly enjoyed both times. It is a book which one could easily believe was written by the Queen of Regency Romances herself, Georgette Heyer.

I award this book 5+ Red Roses and urge you to make it a MUST on your wish list. AS