The Lady Paramount

This is a romance book. The Lady Paramount, like The Cardinal's Snuff-Box before it, could almost be the libretto of a Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera. A beautiful young Italian woman, the Countess de Sampaolo, embarks on a trip to England upon coming-of-age. She rents a house from a cynical, slightly listless English gentleman named Anthony Craford. Of course, her Mediterranean charms begin to thaw his frost. What Craford doesn't know is that her choice to rent his property is no coincidence. Craford is the rightful heir to the throne of Sampaolo, an idyllic island off the coast of Italy where the Countess hails from. But because her ancestors were usurpers, Craford is in exile and she will inherit the throne. But she has 'a little scheme' in mind to restore Craford to his rightful place. The plot unfolds quickly, written in Harland's creamy, charming prose. Put the kettle on or pour yourself a glass of English sherry, and curl up in your favorite armchair with The Lady Paramount. You'll pass a delightful few hours in its company.