Set in early 1800s, England…Harriet, is the last surviving Wyndham in her family and has inherited the enormous Wyndham estate, on the outskirts of Bath, in Somerset. Having dealt with some troubling times over recent years, she feels she is finally ready to make a life for herself in her own home.She travels to Bath, leaving behind the only family she has known for the past fifteen years, at … fifteen years, at Eastease in Lincolnshire. Travelling with her is her guardian, Nathaniel Ackley, and his family, who live at Redway Acres.
Harriet takes over running Wyndham House and presides over all who work there, making friends with Bertram Horncastle and Baroness Freyley, and learning about her mother’s estranged family, the Marshams.
Her passion of music comes to the fore, until the day she finally has to make a choice between fulfilling that passion and the man with whom she is in love.
This is the fourth book in the Redway Acres series, but can be enjoyed as an individual book in its own right.
The others are Book 1 – Helena, Book 2 – Maria and Book 3 – Martha.
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In book #4 of the Redway Acres series we follow Harriet as she sets off to establish herself as the owner of the Wyndham Estates which she recently inherited. Trish Butler does an exceptional job putting us right there with Harriet as she establishes herself in this new role with all of it’s demands and responsibilities. Harriet has certainly been forced to grow up before her time because of events in the past year but taking over this huge estate will be daunting!
Even though the Wyndham Estate is six days of travel away from her home at Eastease, we still see the strong connection she keeps with those she left behind. We also are introduced to many new people in her life and it is so interesting getting to know them along with her. We watch as she continues her love of music and though the times won’t give her the credit she deserves for her musical creativity, she finds a way to perform.
As with most of Butler’s female characters, Harriet’s determination to not be held down by male dominance is strong. Only a very special man will find the way into her heart in the end.
I loved this book and believe it is my favorite of the series so far!!
This is such a lovely historical romance series that I fall in love with more and more with every additional book I read! In book 4, Harriet is going to establish herself as head of the Wyndham estates. She has recently suffered a great loss. The beginning of the book helps the reader to catch up on past events in other books, so although this is the fourth in the series, I feel it can be easily read and understood on its own.
One thing I adore about this series is the wonderful ensemble cast. Each character is so richly drawn, with admirable qualities, and some rough spots (looking at you, Nathaniel, even if you are one of my favorite characters!) It’s such a delight seeing the characters grow and develop throughout the books. This book touches in places on disability and the attitudes towards it in the time period, both with Bertram Horncastle and also Nathaniel’s new adjustment to his war injury. They had some good scenes together. I also loved getting to see more from Davy and Isabella, who were special favorites from book one. There were lots of great horse scenes in this one, which I thoroughly enjoyed. (Helena is awesome. That is all. And like Davy, I enjoyed learning how to tell white from gray horses.) Also well written intricate subplots with side characters. Charlie, Annie, Bertram, James and Jacky/Rebecca/John were favorites.
I love the way all the women in this series are fierce and uncompromising. Harriet has a gift for music (and shooting, and chess!) and she is unwilling to sit quietly in a corner simply because no one wishes to hear compositions not penned by a man. I rather loved this plotline and lengths she went to in order to make sure she could pursue her dream, as well as the scenes with the man she eventually ended up with.