A Romantic Young Lady

At eighteen, Virginia Harlan discovers she's worth a fortune, and suddenly everyone in society seems interested in her company. Raised in a wealthy but unconventional household by her father and two formidable aunts who shaped her education and outlook on life, Virginia has dreamed of love and independence. But her father's warning about the pitfalls of wealth and the insincere courtship that often follows great riches casts a shadow over her entry into society. When she meets Roger Dale, Virginia must discern whether his attention is genuine or merely attracted to her inheritance. Set in the late nineteenth century, this is a sharp comedy of manners about a young woman caught between her idealistic dreams and the harsh realities of a world that views her as much as an estate as a person. The novel drips with period detail and social critique, exploring how money complicates romance and how difficult it is to maintain one's authenticity when everyone assumes you have none of your own.