The Cloverton Charade
English
By (author): Sarah E. Ladd
A long-held family feud reignites when two rival antiquities brokers arrive at the same house party in Regency England.
Olivia Brannon knows her goals are unconventional. As a young woman in Regency England, her best betaccording to societyis to marry well and secure a steady future for herself. But Olivia has never been interested in convention. Shed prefer to follow in her deceased fathers footsteps and journey to foreign lands in search of rare and valuable antiquities.
Eager to make a name for herself in the antiquities world, Olivia jumps at an invitation to join a wealthy widow at the famed Cloverton Hall to evaluate her private antiquities collection. Secrecy of the task is vital, and in order to conceal her efforts Olivia must pretend to be a house party guest to avoid suspicion and to explain her presence.
Lucas Avery, whose father was a rival of Olivias father, has also arrived at the Cloverton Hall house party, hired by the new master of Cloverton Hallthe widows nephewto appraise the renowned Cloverton Hall collection. When Lucas discovers Olivia masquerading as a party guest while covertly conducting her own assessment, hes keen to renew the family rivalry. But as their paths frequently cross, hes unprepared for the effect the refreshingly honestand beautifulOlivia has on him.
Yet all is not as it seems. Both Olivia and Lucas are shocked by the astonishing discovery of counterfeit pieces, and when the unexpected occurs, everyone is a suspect . . . and Olivia and Lucas both must choose whom they will trust. Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa and her sister to gain their freedom.
- Sweet Regency romance set in the same time period as Bridgerton
- Part of the Houses of Yorkshire series but can be read as a stand-alone novel
- Book length: 83,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs