Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace: Being the Third Vol. of ""The Poor Relation""

Lucy Budley, one of the indigent gentlefolk who pooled their resources to create the Poor Relation Hotel, is prompted by her co-proprietors to travel to Delacourt Castle in Warwickshire. Once there, they plan, she will pretend to be a distant relative and relieve the dotty old Marquess of Peterhouse of enough trinkets to support herself back in London. The plot is foiled, however, when the old Marquess dies and is replaced by his sharp-witted and darkly handsome nephew. Exposed as a liar, the widow Budley tells all and begs his forgiveness, only to discover that the new Marquess may have plans for her; he needs a wife to keep both prying neighbors and ambitious London mothers at bay. This brief novel will probably be most enjoyable to readers familiar with the same characters from earlier books in the Poor Relation series ( Lady Fortescue Steps Out and Miss Tonks Turns to Crime ). A nicely atmospheric, if somewhat simple-minded work, most notable for its gentle humor and adventurous spirit. (Aug.)