A brilliant and glittering jewel of a novel. I was wholly swept away by this story.--Allison
Pataki New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's Fortune ?A tale of daring and
determination set against the glamorous heights and the harsh restrictions of aristocratic
society in the middle years of the British nineteenth century.--Sir Julian Fellowes creator of
Downton Abbey From one of the most famous former members of the British royal family Sarah
Ferguson Duchess of York ?a mesmerizing novel of a young noblewoman's coming-of-age that
richly details both high society and low in Victorian England. Queen Victoria's close friend
the Scottish Duke of Buccleuch Lady Margaret Montagu Scott is expected to make an advantageous
marriage. But Margaret is an impulsive and outspoken girl in a repressive society where women
are quite literally caged in corsets and required to conform. When Lady Margaret's parents
arrange a society marriage for her she tries to reconcile herself to the match. But shortly
before her betrothal is announced Margaret flees leaving her parents to explain her sudden
absence to an opulent ballroom stuffed with two hundred distinguished guests. Banished from
polite society Margaret throws herself into charitable work and finds strength in a circle of
female friends like herself?women intent on breaking the mold including Queen Victoria's
daughter Princess Louise. Margaret resolves to follow her heart?a journey of self-discovery
that will take her to Ireland America and then back to Britain where she finds the life she
was always meant to lead. A bold and thoughtful story about a rebellious woman finding herself
and her voice in an age of astounding technological change and great social unrest Her Heart
for a Compass is a delicious costume drama rich in atmosphere history and color.
