Meridon (Wideacre, Bk 3) Author: Philippa Gregory
	Book Information Publisher: Pocket Books Book Type: Paperback Members Wishing: 21 Rating: 4 ISBN-13: 48583 - ISBN-10: Pages: 439

Meridon knew she did not belong in the dirty, vagabond life of a gypsy. At night in her dreams, the copper-haired young girl rode a great horse across the wheat-rich fields and graceful gardens of one of England's ancient estates...and in her dreams, she was mistress of all this land.

The vision burned in her heart, even in the midst of the Salisbury Fair of 1805, where thieves, wastrels and circus rogues bargained for their fortunes. In this harsh life, Meridon clung to her beloved sister Dandy, and became an expert trainer of horses. Her magical skills opened the door to a new, promising world. But Dandy always wanted more, and her greed left Meridon heartbroken and lost, following the wind and the urgings of her dream as she rode in the moonlight past rusted gates, up the winding drive, to her home...clutching the golden clasps of the necklace that was her birthright...home at last to Wideacre.

The lost child had returned to claim her legacy as the grand-daughter of Beatrice Lacey and daughter Julia...the sole heir to all of Wideacre.

Now as mistress of the great estate, she swore she would acquire the ways of the "Quality": she would dress, speak and behave as a lady born. Only one man, Will Tyacke, the powerful manager of Wideacre, saw her truly...not as a sawdust squire but as the woman she was-denying her hunger for love and her need for the land. But even Will could not stop her alliance with Lady Clara Havering, the sweet-faced tyrant of the neighboring estate, and her son Peregrine, the Havering lord and heir. As Lady Clara taught Meridon the social grace she lacked, she also worked towards her secret goal: to see this creature married to her son, ensuring the future wealth of the two great estates- and the misery of all those who lived and worked on the land.

Amidst the cream of London society, meridon learned to play their brittle games and elaborate deceits; yet in those glittering drawing rooms she longed for the smell of Wideacre's rich earth. As her land and Will's love began to slip through her fingers, Meridon would gamble all she possessed...to save not only Wideacre, but to come home to the free and simple life she had forsworn...home at last, this time forever.

Third in the trilogy that began with "Wideacre" and "The Favored Child"