A MODEST INDEPENDENCE

An independent woman struggles to
reconcile love and freedom in this historical romance.

Book 2 of Matthews’ (A Holiday by Gaslight, 2018, etc.) Parish Orphans of Devon series picks up with
Jenny Holloway and Thomas Finchley, two characters familiar to readers of the
first installment. Jenny, a former lady’s companion, has been gifted an
inheritance and seeks adventure. But her money is controlled by Tom, a talented
lawyer who trades in secrets. When Jenny sets out for India in search of a
cousin who is presumed dead, Tom is compelled to accompany her. The pair,
posing as brother and sister for propriety’s sake, embark on a long journey to
Delhi. Their time together in close quarters on ships and trains only
strengthens their mutual attraction. But Jenny is loath to give up her newfound
liberty for a man, even one as kind and unusual as Tom. Though he tries to
convince Jenny that he would never infringe on her autonomy, the realities of
being a woman in Victorian society weigh heavily against him. The couple’s
journey across Egypt and India is full of colorful and descriptive prose.
Jenny’s first taste of spicy curry and the international blend of humanity on
the streets of Calcutta firmly situate readers in a striking past. As always,
Matthews’ attention to historical accuracy is impeccable. From the rigid
standards and expectations of Victorian courtship to the siege of Jhansi, she
has clearly done her research. Her characters are a refreshing change from the
typical genre protagonists; for example, there is “nothing particularly
remarkable about Thomas Finchley,” the author writes. Yet his intellect and
unabashed kindness are the stuff of true romance. As Jenny amusingly observes,
a man who can navigate bureaucracy is far more useful than the white knights of
penny novels. While Tom’s relationship with Jenny remains mostly chaste,
Matthews manages to imbue their interactions with an enviable romantic tension.