Mrs. Emma Hartley had fallen in love with the Hon. Michael Hayden when she was 14 and he was 15. As the third son he was intended for the army, but while he was away at the wars most of his family died of typhus and he was suddenly Earl of Edenbridge. He lost his left hand in battle, and while he was absent the steward in charge of his estates sold or stole everything and ran off with the money.
Emma married Charles Hartley because her family needed money; the settlements would pay the debts and educate her younger brothers. At 17, still loving Michael, she married Charles. Now a widow, she tries to make a life again - a life that must include Michael.
This is rather a short novel, with no surprises in it really. It is told in first person and the language is somewhat simplified and quite modern. I enjoyed it but still prefer Wolf's earliest books.
Emma married Charles Hartley because her family needed money; the settlements would pay the debts and educate her younger brothers. At 17, still loving Michael, she married Charles. Now a widow, she tries to make a life again - a life that must include Michael.
This is rather a short novel, with no surprises in it really. It is told in first person and the language is somewhat simplified and quite modern. I enjoyed it but still prefer Wolf's earliest books.
