THE SUMMER MAIDEN

The second book in a stunning new series from Sunday Times bestseller, Dilly Court

Wapping, London, Summer 1873.
When Carrie Manning's father dies unexpectedly her family is plunged into mourning, but their fortune flounders when their last ship is reported lost at sea. With her mother plunged into despair, Carrie has no choice but to seek work. Answering a newspaper advertisement she takes the position of companion to Maria Colville, the youngest member of a family who own a rival shipping company. But Maria is a virtual prison of her autocratic grandmother, who blames Maria for being born out of wedlock and bringing disgrace upon the Colville name. Carrie comes face to face with enigmatic Phineas Colville, the head of the company whom she blames for the ultimate failure of her father's shipping line.

Desperate to find her mother, who was banished from the family home, Maria enlists Carrie's help and their travels take them to Devonshire and a remote farm on Dartmoor, where Maria's mother, Grace is ill-treated by her brutal husband, Elias Quick. When Carrie and Maria rescue Grace, Carrie seeks help from her mother's old friends, Raven Dorincourt, Earl of Starcross, owner of Starcross Abbey and his brother, Freddie. But Quick is intent on revenge and after an unsuccessful attempt to murder his wife, Quick is finally brought to justice. Grace confesses that the father of her child was Jack Manning, which makes Carrie and Maria half-sisters, and Grace travels back to London with them. More determined than ever, Carrie sets about playing Phineas Colville at his own game and restoring her family's fortunes.