Lancaster's Choice

A fictional novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the affluent Old Lady Lancaster, a wealthy widow who, worried about her fortune and the future of her family estate, pressures her nephew Clive Lancaster to marry a suitable heiress. Clive, who values his independence and wishes to avoid the constraints of a predetermined marriage, plans to escape to America with his friend Lieutenant Harry De Vere, further complicating Lady Lancaster's matchmaking plans. The opening of the book introduces Lady Lancaster, who is determined to see her nephew married to secure the family legacy, and her nephew Clive, who is expressing his desire to postpone the inevitable marriage. Clive's plans lead him to America, where he is unexpectedly tasked with retrieving a young girl named Leonora West, the orphaned niece of Lady Lancaster's housekeeper. The narrative sets in motion a series of events that explore themes of duty, love, and societal expectations as Clive navigates the complexities of duty and personal desire, all while hinting at romantic entanglements with Leonora, who proves to be much more than a mere child.