The well-heeled denizens of the local mansions, estates, halls, and other of the area’s palatial dwellings are all atwitter. What has set these regal folks talking? It is nothing less unexpected that the sudden appearance of that most maligned yet coveted phenomenon known as “New Money.” How dreadful… yet thrilling. How they disdain it! How they want it!

These youthful visitors with dizzying wealth may have come from a land overseas where jungle animals hunt their prey… but they will be surprised to find that in the land of impoverished gentry, they are the prey! Hunted by Lords and Ladies wielding their poor but titled unmarried sons and daughters, trying to ensnare the moneyed youth in the marriage trap.

Not even England’s oldest and most well-respected family is beyond this behavior. In fact, they might be the most desperate of all.…

Stay tuned, dear readers, for the first thrilling installment of MISFORTUNE MANOR… coming next week!

Chapter Four

“No!” Lila cried as Nora began to pull Lila’s dark blond hair back into its usual French braid. “I don’t want my hair like this today, Nora.” She gazed imploringly at Nora’s reflection in the mirror. “Can’t we do it differently?”

Nora scowled, confused. “Did you have something special in mind?” she asked.

Lila sighed, feeling just slightly foolish. This morning the Fitzhugh twins would arrive and she wanted to make the right first impression. It was bad enough that Maggie treated her as though she were a child, even though there was a mere two years’ difference in their ages. Lila didn’t want Jessica and Teddy Fitzhugh also thinking she was a little girl to be ignored. She had missed the excitement of Paris, and Lila was determined not to be shut out of this new excitement.