THE COUNTESS GAME

Wilding offers a romantic historical novel that’s set against the backdrop of the 1715 Jacobite Rising to place James Stuart on the British throne.

In 1715, Elizabeth Hartwell is expelled from the court of the recently crowned King George I. After the death of her court physician father, she took over ministering to Queen Anne, but now Anne has died, and supporters of James, the pretender to the throne, are rebelling, and George has become suspicious of Elizabeth’s Jacobite lineage. Fortunately, Elizabeth’s Aunt Maude has received an invitation from her cousin Mary to reside with her at Holliston Castle, the estate of Mary’s brother, Ashton Wentworth, Earl of Haverdale. Elizabeth and Maude hastily escape London, headed for the North Country. Handsome, roguish bachelor Earl Wentworth, an early supporter of James, has been living in Paris in exile for years; now that he’s pledged his allegiance to George, he’s returned home, determined to refurbish his neglected castle and look after his farming tenants. He asks Elizabeth if she’d be willing to revamp its deteriorated dispensary. It’s the perfect opportunity for her to find her place and purpose, and to adjust to the more informal style of country life; plus, the attractive earl pleasantly upsets her equilibrium. The combination of political upheaval, dangerous adventure, conflicting loyalties, and potential romance keeps Wilding’s narrative moving at an entertaining pace throughout. Her attention to details of architecture, décor (“The pavilion was a pleasant respite from the afternoon sun and was luxuriously furnished with armchairs, sofas, benches and tables inlaid with floral patterns of wood and semi-precious stones”), fashion, and linguistic patterns will vividly transport readers to the early 18th century. Elizabeth is an engaging narrator who’s smart, witty, and independent. Although the bulk of the story centers on the developing relationship between her and Ashton, there’s a large cast of supporting characters—it may take readers some time to keep them all straight—with a few standouts, such as the intrepid stable hand known as Young Robbie, who repeatedly proves his mettle.

A fun read filled with intriguing history and featuring an amusing final surprise.