The Maude Reed Tale,

You can save a lot of money by buying "The Town House" instead! "The Maude Reed Tale" is included in that book. The story is incredibly well written! You can see, hear and even smell Medieval England through the characters' senses. I highly recommend all of Norah Loft's "House" books!

Description from the book back cover: A most unladylike heroine struggles to outwit the system that would have her become a lady. "I do not want to be a lady. I want to be a wool merchant." In those two sentences young Maude Reed expresses her most burning desire. But in fifteenth-century England, girls of good family do not go into business. Instead, they are often sent to live in one of the great castles, where they do needlework, play the lute, and are taught the complicated customs and manners of that age of knighthood. At Beauclaire Castle, Maude meets two people who are to have a lasting influence on her - the beautiful Melusine, who serves Lady Astallon, and Henry Rancon, destined one day for knighthood. Nevertheless, the moment comes when she can face life there no longer, and on Christmas day she mounts her pony, steals over the drawbridge and starts on the long perilous journey home. Then her real adventures begin ...

A captivating story of how one unconventional medieval maiden uses her unwanted courtly training to pull her family back from the brink and save her grandfather's failing wool business. There's a bit of a "road trip" to this tale, too, as the heroine ventures out with her faithful pony Brownie. Part of what makes this book so appealing is the evocative detailing of food, fashions and pasttimes at the castle and Maude's house. Romance, suspense and adventure are packed into this slim volume, all elegantly understated. Don't be surprised if you get at least a second or third read out of this one.

"I do not want to be a lady I want to be a wool merchant" That line is how I always describe this book. Young Maude wants to be a wool merchant but in medival Europe young girls where sent off to become ladys not merchants. This is a wonderful story I remember reading as a child and cherish it. I hope to find a copy to read to my own children.