'Tis a truth universally acknowledged that a gentleman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However, our Hero is in possession of no fortune whatsoever. And thus, we have a History to relate...
1865. Somerset.
Love and Money, those twin pillars upon which the precarious edifice of Mortal Existence rests, have rarely been more at odds. For Mr Francis Sheringham - a libertine whose charm is far more substantial than his purse - desperate times call for desperate measures. When the vengeful Lord Grant cheats his father out of their ancestral home, our Hero finds himself forced into an audacious new career: Highway Robbery.
Yet, it must be said, he is no common thief. As the most courteous Rogue on the King's Highway, Francis leaves his female victims more captivated than terrified. And lo! His path collides with Miss Vanessa Lockwood - a fiercely independent Heiress of Uncommon Spirit trapped by the schemes of the very man who ruined Francis.
The Reader is herein invited to witness a Rollicking Burlesque of mistaken identities, disastrous Fancy-Dress Balls, calamitous Kidnappings, and farcical Duels. Amidst the Chaos, Francis must reclaim his Fortune, outwit his Enemies, and convince the one woman immune to his practiced wiles that his Heart is truer than his Aim. In a world where Passion and Property are at war, the ultimate prize is a Love that Money simply cannot buy.
'Tis Picaresque. 'Tis Preposterous. 'Tis Love & Money.
Perfect for Adorers of the Picaresque & Pastiche: This novel is a stylistic homage to the literature of the 19th century, written for those who crave an immersive, archaic voice akin to the Susanna Clarke mode (think Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, albeit with felons in place of fairies), and the roguish, rambling energy of Henry Fielding (Tom Jones). Moreover, if you delight in the sharp social satire of Jane Austen, but have wondered what such courtships might have been when coupled with a botched kidnapping and a highwayman's pistol, then Love & Money might just be your next great adventure!
Tropes & Themes: The Gentleman Highwayman: A charming rogue whose manners are as polished as his pistols. Enemies to Lovers: A battle of wits between a practiced flirt and the one woman who sees right through him. Mistaken Identity: A comedy of errors featuring masks, disguises, and disastrous fancy-dress balls. Love vs. Money: The eternal struggle between the heart's desire and the purse's strings. Aristocrat in Decline: A steep fall from grace where a nobleman must turn to crime to pay the bills. Comedy of Manners: A satirical poke at the pretensions and hypocrisy of Victorian high society. The Spirited Heiress: A heroine with a fortune who refuses to be a pawn in men's games. The Scheming Villain: A classic antagonist governed by avarice, spite, and bad intentions.
