Splendid

Emma Dunster, an American heiress from a Boston shipping family, travels to Regency London to visit her cousins before deciding whether to take over her father’s business. While disguised as a servant to experience the city without supervision, she saves a child from a runaway carriage and encounters Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne. Despite his initial disdain for the unconventional American, Alexander becomes fascinated by her refusal to adhere to British social hierarchies. Their connection deepens through witty verbal sparring and shared risks as they navigate the rigid expectations of the ton.

This novel is for readers who enjoy historical romance centered on the clash between New World independence and Old World tradition. Those who appreciate the trope of an American outsider challenging the British aristocracy will find value in the dialogue-heavy interactions. Readers walk away with a specific example of how personal autonomy can be maintained within the constraints of nineteenth-century marriage customs. It serves as an introductory look at the Blydon family lineage and the stylistic origins of the Regency romance genre.