Debt from the Past, A - Hardcover

Matthews, Beryl

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 072788302X ISBN 13: 9780727883025

Publisher: Severn House, 2013

Synopsis

A spellbinding saga of family, trust, secrets . . . and love
Hampshire 1850. Beth Langton has been running her large family estate for nine months now, after the death of her father. Under the watchful eyes of her godfather and guardian, Lord Edward Sharland, and an excellent estate manager, Henry Greenway, she is loving the work.

After a week away with Henry buying cattle, terrible news is waiting for her on her return. The father of her best friend, Lady Helen Denton, has shot himself after running up gambling debts, leaving Helen destitute. Beth persuades Helen to come and live with her, although Helen is too proud to take charity and insists she work as a paid companion.

The girls soon settle happily together, but further tragedy awaits. Beth is informed by a stranger that her beloved guardian, away on business, has died. The stranger claims to be Edward’s heir, making him her legal guardian – and he has the paperwork to prove it. But can they trust him? And should they?

About this title

About the Author

Beryl Matthews was born in London but now lives in Hampshire. She grew up in a family of enthusiastic readers, and books have always been a very important part of her life. As a young girl her ambition was to become a professional singer, but lack of funds drove her into an office, where she worked her way up from tea-girl to credit controller. Her hobbies are writing, reading, swimming and golf.

From Booklist

Matthews’ fans will be delighted with her latest. Set in 1850s England, the story features authentic period details, lively characters, sprightly dialogue, and heart-warming romance. Elizabeth Langton has been thrust into the role of manager of her family’s country estate after her father’s death. She loves the work, but when the father of her best friend, Lady Helen Denton, kills himself, Elizabeth puts the estate work on hold to comfort Helen. Little does she know that she, too, is about to experience tragedy. Her beloved godfather, Lord Edward Sharland, dies while away on a business trip. Elizabeth and Helen can only console each other and hope no further tragedies await. Their hope is short-lived when a mysterious stranger appears, claiming to be the son of Lord Sharland and the new overseer of the Langton estate. Shocked and horrified, Elizabeth wonders what her godfather could have been thinking? And why has he sent the handsome but cold James Sharland to run “her” estate? The nicely paced, deftly written story delivers pleasant and entertaining reading, despite the predictable ending. --Emily Melton

Edition details

• Publisher: Severn House
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 072788302X
• ISBN 13: 9780727883025
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240