Review: Lords, ladies and scoundrels.  This book has them all.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 27, 2013
When impoverished American Wesley Parker learns that his British uncle, the Duke of  Marbury,  has died and that he has inherited his uncle's estate and title of nobility, Wesley is not overjoyed and only reluctantly accepts.  While arrangements are made for Wesley and his mother to travel to England, he proudly shows Belle Oakhurst, his British solicitor's daughter, the sights of New York City.  By the time they are aboard the luxurious steamship, their tenuous friendship has begun even though Belle is engaged to be married soon.  On the week-long voyage from America to England, Wesley and Belle strike up friendships with other Americans their age.  Romance blossoms; jealousy abounds. Swordplay and a shipwreck add to the excitement !  There is more than one life or death struggle on this adventurous trip and in the days that follow.  But it is the relationships between the young people, their parents and fellow travelers as they explore their feelings about themselves and others that really makes this story.Most memorable is Cavendish, the young Duke's unconventional valet, and I hope he will appear in other books by this author.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes reading about the 1890s in NYC and England.I received this book in return for an honest review.