In 1926 England, Lady Julia Hazelton is a modern woman. Julia has been in love twice and lost. Her beloved fiance, 6th Earl of Worthington, Anthony, was killed at Somme. Before he left for the war, he and Julia made future plans for Worthington Park, his cherished home. He made her promise she would always take care of his estate and tenants. Her second love was Dr. Dougal Campbell. Julia was raised and trained to be mistress of a great estate. It was social positions that forced them to break up. Dr. Campbell went to London Hospital to pursue his career and find a suitable doctor's wife. Julia is not looking for marriage. She does not wish to marry a man just to be told what to do. She wants to make a difference in the world. She will preserve Anthony's legacy at Worthington Park and work helping the widows of the war find work, businesses, and keep their family together. When Anthony's brother, John, commits suicide, the search for the 7th Earl of Worthington begins.. Enter Calvin Urqhart Patrick Carstairs, aka, Cal.

Cal is living a wild life and painting in Paris. He has affairs with all his models and some married women too. He is awakened with a hangover from partying the night before and summoned to the offices of an attorney. The lawyer informs Cal he has inherited a title, three estates, and a lot of money. This all came from his family who never acknowledged him before and did not think him worthy to lick their boots. They disowned his father when he married beneath him. When he died, his wife tried hard to keep her two sons fed. When she asked for help from his family, they refused. Cal decided one day he would get even. When he receives the news of his inheritance, Cal decides to go to Worthington Park and seek revenge. He has it all now especially power. He is ready for payback.

Upon his arrival, his family is cold, unwelcoming and frightened of him. They find him unacceptable. They cringe at his manner of casual dress and find his manners unfitting for an Earl. The only bright spot and warmth comes from the beautiful Lady Julia Hazelton, a friend of the family. Julia thinks he is the most handsome man she has ever seen. When he comes near her and touches her, she hears "whoosh." Is this what she has been waiting for? Is this love at first sight? Sharon Page tells a delicious story of England in the dazzling 1920's filled with love, danger, lies, family loyalties, and murders. Ms. Page addresses the many changes in attitudes and culture during the era following World War I. Julia is my kind of heroine and the pages sizzle when she and Cal are together. "Whoosh!!" I enjoyed many of the sub-plots of sweet brother David and his love, Diana, and Julia's brother, Nigel and his American heiress, Zoe. The mystery of the missing girls lead to the murderer, who I guessed, was an added plus to this pure reading delight, I look forward to reading more from Sharon Page. Soon, I hope.

Book Summary

Sharon Page sparkles in this poignant and irresistibly entertaining follow-up to her breakout novel, An American Duchess

Lady Julia Hazelton is the most dazzling among 1920s England's bright, young things. But rather than choosing the thrill of wanton adventure like so many of her contemporaries, Julia shocks society with her bold business aspirations. Determined to usher the cursed Worthington estate into a prosperous, modern new era, and thus preserve her beloved late fiancé's legacy, the willful Julia tackles her wildest, most unexpected adventure in Cal Carstairs, the reluctant new Earl of Worthington.

The unconventional American artist threatens everything Julia seeks to protect while stirring desires she thought had died in the war. For reasons of his own, Cal has designed the ultimate revenge. Rather than see the estate prosper, he intends to destroy it. But their impulsive marriage—one that secures Julia's plans as well as Cal's secrets—proves that passion is ambition's greatest rival. Unless Cal ends his quest to satisfy his darkest vendetta, he stands to ruin his Worthington wife and all her glittering dreams.