Not her most dramatic or exciting, but still a worthy entry into Braddon’s string of Victorian Sensation novels. Mainly it deals with marriage and they money that can either make or break one. Having it isn’t a guarantee to make though and Lady M knows it well. Her entire life is dedicated to getting granddaughter Lesbia married off to the best man her looks and fortune can buy. She doesn’t have much time or concern for her other granddaughter Mary who is often allowed to run wild; you know, reading, going into nature, taking care of dogs and awaiting the arrival of her brother. Then one day brother arrives with friend Jack who immediately falls in love with Lesbia, leaving Mary to pine in secret.

Unfortunately for everyone, Jack is a penniless nobody and therefore in no way appropriate for the gorgeous Lesbia. His suit is rejected and Lesbia is given into the care of a Lady M’s oldest friend for her presentation at court and her coming out into society. Thinking she has it made, Lesbia disappears into the beau monde without a backward glance or a second thought for her self-exiled grandmother whose money is funding her marriage hunt.

But what of that money? Where did it come from? Did Lady M’s dead husband steal it and run when he was Governor of Madras? And what happened to him anyway? Conveniently dead before a trial could begin to discover just how corrupt he’d been in his position of authority.

It goes where you think it will, but it’s a fun ride getting there. If you’ve never read a Braddon, this isn’t quite the place to start since it does take its time and there isn’t a whole lot of crime or drama. For that try Wyllard’s Weird or Henry Dunbar! All free on Project Gutenberg and other ebook sources. ( )