The Leopard Prince

Just loving this series! We turn to Harry Pye, the second of the three friends brought together by the Agrarian Society. Harry is the steward of Miss Georgina (George) Maitland's Yorkshire properties. George is that unusual thing, an unmarried woman with money and property of her own, left to her by an aunt. She and Harry are travelling together to the estate, following disturbing news that someone is killing sheep on a neighbouring farm, when their carriage overturns in driving rain and the two of them are forced to take shelter over night in an abandoned cottage. Little does George know that Harry grew up in the local area and has a history with the local magistrate Lord Granville (this was very confusing for me as I have just read a book by a different author which also features Lord Granville). Granville is convinced that Harry is the person poisoning his tenant's sheep and demands that George sack him and turn him over for justice. This is real old school historical romance, the vile Lord Granville despoiling women left, right and centre. Old grudges, illegitimate children coming out of the woodwork, and drunken aristocrats starting fights in the local bar. All set against the backdrop of a wealthy aristocratic woman falling in love with the son of a gamekeeper, aided and abetted by her loyal servants. Loved it, and I wasn't even looking forward to reading this one, I just wanted to read the third book and can't bear to read out of order!