SUMMERSET ABBEY
by T. J. Brown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reminiscent of Downton Abbey, this first novel in a
new series follows two sisters and their maid as they are suddenly separated by
the rigid class divisions within a sprawling aristocratic estate and thrust
into an uncertain world on the brink of WWI...
Rowena and Victoria, daughters to the second son of the Earl of Summerset, have always treated their governess’s daughter, Prudence, like a sister. But when their father dies and they move in with their uncle’s family in a much more traditional household, Prudence is relegated to the maids’ quarters, much to the girls’ shock and dismay. The impending war offers each girl hope for a more modern future, but the ever-present specter of class expectations makes it difficult for Prudence to maintain a foot in both worlds.
Vividly evoking both time and place and filled with authentic dialogue and richly detailed atmosphere, Summerset Abbey is a charming and timeless historical debut.
Rowena and Victoria, daughters to the second son of the Earl of Summerset, have always treated their governess’s daughter, Prudence, like a sister. But when their father dies and they move in with their uncle’s family in a much more traditional household, Prudence is relegated to the maids’ quarters, much to the girls’ shock and dismay. The impending war offers each girl hope for a more modern future, but the ever-present specter of class expectations makes it difficult for Prudence to maintain a foot in both worlds.
Vividly evoking both time and place and filled with authentic dialogue and richly detailed atmosphere, Summerset Abbey is a charming and timeless historical debut.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT: A lump rose in her throat as
she caught sight of the ornate casket, draped with a full spray of lilies,
carnations, and palm fronds. The only reason she was here, clutching Rowena’s
and Victoria’s hands in hers instead of shrinking into the background with the
other servants, was the kindness of the man who lay inside. After Prudence’s
father had died, her mother, who had worked at Sir Philip’s estate as a girl,
had been sent to attend to Rowena and Victoria’s ailing mother. When his wife
died, Sir Philip asked her to stay on to help raise the girls, and Prudence,
exactly between his daughters in age, became part of the family. Prudence, who
volunteered her time at several different poorhouses in the city, knew exactly
what happened to young girls left alone in the world. She would forever be
grateful to Sir Philip for not allowing that to happen to her.
She blinked away her tears and occupied herself by looking at the rest of the
congregation. Only a few looked familiar. Among them were Rupert Brooke, the
high-strung and handsome young poet; Ben Tillett, the iron-jawed union leader;
and Roger Fry, the controversial artist responsible for bringing London’s
shocked attention to post impressionism some years prior. These were some of Sir
Philip’s friends, a motley collection of artists, intellectuals, and misfits.
Because the Earl had arranged the funeral, most of the people in attendance
were his peers, men from the House of Lords and others from the cream of London
society.
Sir Philip would have hated it.
The beautiful gold arches and polished marble of St. Bride’s Church gleamed,
just as they had the few times the family had attended church. Sir Philip had
chosen St. Bride’s because, as he used to say, “Sir Christopher Wren built the
kind of church that God might actually enjoy.”
Gradually, Prudence became aware of a young man staring at her from across the
aisle. Her eyes darted in his direction, then away. Moments later, unable to
help herself, she glanced back to see whether he was still looking at her. He
was. She turned slightly and stared fixedly at the bronze candelabra to the
left of him, her cheeks burning.
Victoria leaned around her to whisper to Rowena. “Look, Lord Billingsly has
noticed our Prudence.”
“I’m right here,” Prudence whispered, and gave both their hands a hard squeeze
for emphasis.
She didn’t look his way again.
Once the service started, Prudence sank into a well of grief that threatened to
drown her. The waves of it lapped at her from all sides, covered her head, and
made sight almost impossible. Inside, her heart broke and a waterfall of sorrow
poured from the cracks. On one side, Victoria sobbed quietly, while Rowena’s
stiff resolve buoyed her from the other. She clung to their hands as the
service passed in a blur of speeches.
They remained that way until it was time to get into the ornate black and gold
funeral carriages that would take them back to their home in Mayfair for the
reception. Behind the carriages stood a line of motorcars; most of the wealthy
guests had long given up their carriages for the convenience and speed of
automobiles. The Earl himself had several, and Sir Philip’s sleek Eton-blue
Belsize sat idle in the carriage house, but the Earl insisted on traditional
horse-drawn carriages.
“Miss Tate will ride in the staff carriage.” The Earl’s voice brooked no
opposition and his square jaw firmed. Prudence knew that look. Rowena’s pretty
face held the same expression when she got all stubborn about something.
Victoria’s eyes widened. “Prudence rides with us.”
“Nonsense. The Duke of Plymouth wishes to join us and there isn’t enough room.”
Prudence placed her hands on Victoria’s shoulders. Tension vibrated through the
young girl’s slender body and Prudence’s stomach knotted, sure that Victoria
was going to throw a fit, the kind she used to throw when the family still
called her baby and she wanted the biggest sweet in the shop. Even at eighteen,
Victoria wasn’t above a tantrum or two if she thought the situation warranted
it. But her waiflike face suddenly fell and her lower lip trembled.
“It’ll be all right,” Prudence whispered. “I’ll go back with the staff and meet
you at home.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The author will be awarding autographed copies of books two and three of the series, A Bloom in Winter and Spring Awakening to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour. (open internationally)
Follow the tour and comment. The more comments, the better chance of winning.
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
TJ Brown is proud of her
two children but coming in a close second is the fact that she parachuted
out of a plane and beat the original Legend of Zelda video
game. Her young adult historical about Harry Houdini’s illegitimate
daughter came out in June from Balzer+Bray. She also writes adult historicals
under TJ Brown. She resides with her husband and way too many pets in Portlandia.
www.tjbrownbooks.com
@teribrownwrites
