The Discarded Companion: Cousins of Cavendish Square
Lady Jemima Fitzwater is in an unenviable position. First, she finds that she has been dismissed from Princess Charlotte’s household by an indignant Prince Regent. He is dismissing all of the princess’s attendants. With nowhere to go, she returns to Cavendish Square to live with her ill mother, only to find her mired in debt. The situation becomes worse when a mistake from her past begins to resurface. As the threat of ruination hangs over her, she turns to Mr. Graham Talbot, a secretary who works for a barrister. It so happens that Mr. Talbot provides financial counsel to her mother. Perhaps he may be able to help her out of this sticky situation. To what lengths will he go to save her, especially as romance begins to blossom between the two?
In this exceedingly well-researched and well-written book, Rosanne E. Lortz truly outdoes herself. Jemima is a strong and enjoyable protagonist who has to endure all kinds of trials. Regardless of her troubles, she maintains a positive demeanor and consistently shows kindness and compassion for others. The slow-burn, tender romance that Jemima and Graham share is one of the greatest aspects of the story. I particularly loved the fun conversations, shared glances, and gradual development of feelings between the pair. Everything was so beautifully written. The descriptions of the Regency world were rich with detail, and it added a great deal to the novel. Overall, my favorite part of this book is how Lortz masterfully wove her story within the historical events surrounding the Prince Regent, Queen Caroline, and Princess Charlotte. I really enjoyed the author’s note where she talked about this. It adds a special dimension to the story.
