A heartwarming and gripping family saga set in 1900 England.
January 1900. Rose has been resigned to a life of mind-numbing drudgery in service, like five of her siblings, at Sawdons Hall. After going there to break the news of their mother s death, Rose s chance encounter with Leonard Pritchard, the charismatic tutor, changes everything. She finds solace as they talk about their mutual passion for poetry.
Leonard is to open a bookshop in the market town of Widdock. Impulsively, Rose writes asking him if she can be his assistant. Despite strong family resistance, Rose accepts his offer of a job.
As feelings between Rose and Leonard deepen, her old fears about the sexual relationship surface. What further threats will Rose confront? Will she ever lead the life she chooses?
Vivien Freeman grew up in North London and graduated in Art History from the University of East Anglia before settling in Ware, Hertfordshire. A published poet as well as a novelist, she taught Creative Writing for many years and has an M.A. in Scriptwriting from Salford University. She is a professional script reader. She now lives in rural Wales in the Vale of Glamorgan with her husband, the poet, John Freeman. Between them they have four children and three grandchildren. She likes visiting family and friends as well as frequenting art galleries and historic houses. She also enjoys gardening, walking, reading and listening to classical music.