The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White

Goodreads: The Lost Heiress

Published: 2015

Series: Ladies of the Manor #1

Genres: Adult, Romance, Christian, Historical fiction

Pages: 392

Format: Library, print

Tropes

- Friends to lovers

- Fish out of water

Summary

The story follows Brook, a young lady born in England but raised in Monte Carlo following her mother's suspicious death. Her lifelong friend Justin (Lord Harlow and later, Duke of Stafford) suspects she is actually the daughter of the Earl of Whitby in England and heir to his fortune (after he identifies the Earl's crest on letters written to Brook's deceased mother). They travel to England to meet the Earl of Whitby and his family, who believe she is the lost heiress.

As the prodigal daughter, Brook becomes Lady Berkeley and is poised to inherit her father's estate upon his passing. But Brook has a lot to learn about polite English society in 1910 as she assimilates to life in England. She's also determined to solve her mother's death and gain the respect of the servants of her father's estate.

Meanwhile, when Justin inherits his family's estate, new responsibilities force him away from Brook. This puts a huge strain on their relationship and forces each of them to discover if their friendship has become something more. They must also adapt to the changing dynamic between them now that Brook is Lady Berkeley (and not the daughter of an opera star).

Characters

Brook is a firecracker! She's driven, confident, and bold:

"Let them think what they will. I will be who I am, and I will make no apologies. And if that means I eschew society and forego the marriage mart... Well, what a shame."

In the opening scenes, we meet her forcing Justin to teach her how to drive. She can ride astride, shoot a pistol, drive an automobile, swim, and fence. She regularly wears riding breeches, drinks strong coffee, and is not afraid of going against the norm (though half the time you're not sure if she even knows what is the norm).

Justin (Lord Harlow and later, Duke of Stafford) has deep affection for Brook, even from the beginning of the book. He's mature and passionate:

"When I think of the future, I can imagine no other woman at my side through the years. But I... She loves me, but it has long been as a brother, a friend. Her feelings have not grown as mine have, and I fear if I push her, declare myself too soon, I would ruin any chance I have."

Justin has split his time between Monte Carlo (where his father lived) and England (on his family's estate). He wants the estate to succeed, but pushes Brook away when she reaches out to help him.

We also meet Deidre (who works at Whitby Park) and Lord Pratt (Lord Whitby's neighbour). Deidre becomes Brook's lady's maid and sends some of her earnings home to her family. And she works with Pratt to make life challenging for Brook in England. Pratt is slimy, greedy, and manipulative (and very easy to dislike!)

Brook's father, Lord Whitby, is another great character in this story. He's compassionate, understanding, and loving, and I just love this interaction he has with Justin when he finds out some of Brook's other skills:

Whitby folded his paper and raised his hand, a finger up. "You taught my daughter to ride astride." He raised another finger. "To shoot a pistol." A third. "To drive an automobile." Four. "To swim." And his thumb. "To fence." Brook's next laugh interrupted him, and Justin felt his mouth turn upward into a grin too. Whitby narrowed his eyes. "What have you to say for yourself?" Looking at her, how she sat with such confidence, how she laughed with such abandon, how she faced the world with such brilliance, there was only one thing he could say. "You're welcome."

Writing

The writing felt very fitting for the 1910 setting. Sophisticated, but accessible. Formal and proper, but modern. There was great banter, beautiful prose, and vivid descriptions:

"The wind blasted around her the moment her foot touch the platform. Justin chuckled at her shiver. "To brisk for you?" Brisk? It felt as those snow ought to be swirling - not that she'd ever experienced that phenomenon. "Not at all. I'm perfectly warm." "Liar." His laugh rang out warm and hearty, though.

I loved the time period White chose for this book (Downton Abbey anyone?). The dances and parties, the horses, the importance of the newspaper, the formal social introductions, marrying for estate considerations, the invention of the automobile - such a different world than we live in 2024. Ah, I just wanted to live at Whitby Park! I wanted to see this story on the big screen!

Overall

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but I could not put this book down! I absolutely fell in love with Brook, Justin, Lord Whitby, Lord Worthing. The writing was clear and concise, the banter was great, and the characters were well-written. I loved the plot, the setting (especially the time period), the conflict. I can't wait to read more by this author. An easy five stars.