Review: gives as good as she gets
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 15, 2014
Caprice finds herself the subject of a dominating aunt's desire to marry her to a penniless, lecherous relative. Caprice, an heiress, recognizes at once the relative's motivation. Fearful that her easygoing parents will not stand up to the forceful aunt, she steals some boy's clothing, takes her horse and a bit of money and food, and runs away, heading for a friend's estate several days' ride away. She becomes lost and ends up late at night at an estate that she assumes is her friend's. As it is very late, she sneaks in, finds a bedroom and prepares to sleep. The estate is Abbey Cross, a part-medieval pile recently inherited by Cass, Lord Merridew, who chooses that day to come to the estate to inspect it. He has also invited a couple of friends, who arrive later. Cass finds Caprice, thinks she is a stableboy, accepts her made-up story of traveling to new employment, and hires her to help him look over the estate, specifically, to find tunnels and caves known to be used by smugglers and possibly French agents. Spies and government agents get involved, as does Drummond's staid and proper father. A charming book. Drummond is quite a talker, and Caprice, once found out as a girl, gives as good as she gets.