Kate leads a double life.
She was born a country vicar’s cherished daughter but is now an impoverished spinster raising her orphaned nieces and nephews. To earn their keep, she works as a London lady’s companion and sends her earnings home to her cousin, Bella, who minds the children in the Sussex village of Fairlea.
When her employer leaves London, Kate must use her hidden talent, her beautiful singing voice, to work as La Caterina, a featured performer at the Stanhope Theatre. She wears thick make-up, a wig and stacked heels to hide her identity and protect her reputation.
As the Season ends, Kate receives unhappy news from the country. Bella has eloped, leaving the children alone. Kate returns to Fairlea as Miss Carteret to take charge of her family. She vows never to leave them again. Before the summer ends, she will either uproot them all to her scandalous life in the city or live in poverty with them in the village they love.
The growing warmth of her friendship with local baronet Sir Antony Chiswick complicates her decision. How can she tell him the truth about her life in London? Then La Caterina’s sinister admirer Baron Maule turns up in Fairlea. Kate must guard everything she says and everything she does lest her London disguise be unmasked.
Old friends and new, assemblies and balls, garden follies and a complicated maze combine to help Kate make the most important decision of her life.
Genre: Historical Romance
She was born a country vicar’s cherished daughter but is now an impoverished spinster raising her orphaned nieces and nephews. To earn their keep, she works as a London lady’s companion and sends her earnings home to her cousin, Bella, who minds the children in the Sussex village of Fairlea.
When her employer leaves London, Kate must use her hidden talent, her beautiful singing voice, to work as La Caterina, a featured performer at the Stanhope Theatre. She wears thick make-up, a wig and stacked heels to hide her identity and protect her reputation.
As the Season ends, Kate receives unhappy news from the country. Bella has eloped, leaving the children alone. Kate returns to Fairlea as Miss Carteret to take charge of her family. She vows never to leave them again. Before the summer ends, she will either uproot them all to her scandalous life in the city or live in poverty with them in the village they love.
The growing warmth of her friendship with local baronet Sir Antony Chiswick complicates her decision. How can she tell him the truth about her life in London? Then La Caterina’s sinister admirer Baron Maule turns up in Fairlea. Kate must guard everything she says and everything she does lest her London disguise be unmasked.
Old friends and new, assemblies and balls, garden follies and a complicated maze combine to help Kate make the most important decision of her life.
Genre: Historical Romance
Used availability for Susan Speers's Kate