Willowwood [Large Print]

Forbidden Love in late Victorian England. Lilian and her family live on the country estate of her uncle, Sir Lewis Hambledon. Beautiful Lilian was crippled in a riding accident and has not walked in seven years. She is cossetted and pampered by her smothering widowed mother. One of Sir Lewis' under gardeners, Jack Ellershaw, is a talented Cricket player who dreams of playing professionally. Lilian and Jack fall in love in the face of family and community opposition. Lilian is removed from temptation and sent to London to visit with her "artistic" Aunt Frederica. Aunt Frederica is currently enamoured of the notorius Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Lilian meets the members at her Aunt's Salons. Soon Lilian finds herself modelling for the mysterious painter Leoline Beavis (vaguely reminiscent of D. G. Rossetti). Leoline has a very murky marital past and no little acquaintance with drugs and potions. Lilian finds herself threatened and at risk from Leoline with no protector. Fortunately, Jack discovers her perilous situation and removes her from her Aunt's home. He brings her to his family's cottage and places her under the protection of his skeptical parents. Lilian struggles in this new milieu. Can she surmount her "lady of the manor" upbringing? Will her family respect her choice? Will her infirmity be a burden to Jack and his family? Can love conquer all? This is a very entertaining romance. There is the added bonus of a look at the game of professional Cricket, and the practices of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Recommended.