Extraordinary!

The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I began this title whilst in the middle of another genre. Caught up in that read, I put this away for a time, wondering if I’d make it back. I’m glad I did!

The more I read about Lady Hester Stanhope, the more intrigued I became. 

The volatile, intelligent Lady Hester, a superb rider, an extraordinary “amazon” of a woman, of “fierce intellect and ambition”. A woman who stepped into the world of men, navigating her way through a closely strewn minefield of political, social and familial relationships that changed frequently, except for the latter. “Witty and often cynically pragmatic” we are told in Penrose’s excellent Author’s Note.

Her time as her beloved uncle, William Pitt’s hostess at Walker Castle and later, when Pitt formed government, as Pitt’s ‘Private Secretary’ gave her the chance to blossom, as she served as his sounding board and confidant for various political actions.

She was a close acquaintance of Brummell. She and her cousin the wildly unpredictable Lord Camelford sparked off each other, a tempestuous relationship. Her relations with Lord Granville Leveson Gower, later Ambassador to Russia left her damaged. With Lieutenant-General John Moore however, she was able to be herself. She was shattered by the tidings of his death during the retreat of the British at Corunna.

Still she walked on with life, wounded but determined. Remembering John’s words, “It was the journey that mattered” and “Fortune favors the bold.”

This fictionalised biography of Hetty’s life until she left Portsmouth with her brother James, whilst he recuperated before returning for duty at Gibraltar, really touched me. A woman fighting her times. Hetty journeyed on to the Middle East, to the Levant, an explorer, archaeologist and adventurer. Never to return to England. Her story had me transfixed in the end. Her pain, her courage, all extraordinary.

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change