The Lady and the Cit

"Cits" were merchants, traders, financiers, bankers, inventors, businessmen, builders and engineers who, as early as the 12th Century and throughout the history of the British Isles, were loyal only to the City of London, and to any English, later British, king or queen who won the periodic wars of succession fought by the aristocracy. "The Lady and the Cit" by Blair Bancroft, is a charming little romance offering a gently amused look at a political campaign seeking the votes of one borough's freemen just before the British Reform Act of 1833 wiped out "rotten boroughs" and many strange political customs and anachronistic, aristocratic privileges. At the time of this story, "Cits" had been helping to rebuild the British economy which had been ruined by a 22-year Napoleonic war and depressions and uproars which followed it, setting the stage for the vigorous Victorian era that began in 1837. Aristocrats and members of the landed gentry were restricted by social ostracism from participating in "trade", (business), or in any useful occupation outside of the military or the Church of England, and were trained from birth to have contempt for Cits. Women of the aristocracy were trained to avoid Cits, for by marrying one they would lose their position in society, as would their children, unless the men that they married were very special, and the woman had property of her own. Warning: This is not a bodice-ripper! It is a tale of quiet heroism, stubborn attention to duty, intelligent kindness, three romances, a child saved, and bullies thwarted. These are the conflicts which made this tale enjoyable to me.

This is my very favorite type of book - one that tells a realistic, sensible story based on solid research, about charming endearing *human* characters, and the whole is encased in marvelous writing. Truly, I don't know what more one could wish for, unless it be more pages to the story than the prescribed format allows. By-elections in the countryside of Regency England-Kent, for example-are not a common base for a Regency novel, and the details presented in this engaging story are fascinating. Kudos to Ms. Bancroft and her library for allowing the rest of us to know them, as well. Aurelia Trevor is an only child, nearing her majority when the guardian of her family property dies, leaving her at the mercy of another, rather unsavory uncle. But there is no mercy forthcoming, merely the prospect of a forced marriage to Auuelia's cousin. Drastic measures are needed to maintain her hold on the family estate Pevensey Park, so with the connivance of her long-time governess and now friend, the two women head for London to search out a husband. The chosen candidate is Thomas Lanning, an unmarried financier, but otherwise not someone Aurelia would have been likely to encounter in her life. The two engage in a `Taming of the Shrew' sort of married life, effectively stopping the efforts of her uncle and cousin to gain the property and the heiress for their own purposes. Thomas has an agenda of his own which is a major factor in his decision to marry Aurelia. He wants to enter politics, and sees the seat at Lower Peven as the ideal place to start. Along the way, he is forced to face up to his own family responsibilities, adding a half-brother and sister to the mix at the Park, along with a new steward and other retainers. Sparks fly as old and new customs are blended together to match this new blended family. In the end, everything works out splendidly, and the journey to get there is a most enjoyable one. It's fun to watch Aurelia and Thomas battle their way to a new understanding of each other and themselves in the process. Any reader who loves to read and savor words will greatly enjoy this book.