The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh

Bestseller Laurens (The Lady’s Command) launches a Victorian-era series with an appealing impoverished sister-brother duo, Felicia and William John Throgmorton, whose fortunes depend on the success of their father’s steam-powered “horseless carriage” invention. After their father’s death, William John took over development of the vehicle, and he’s surprised by the unexpected arrival of handsome Lord Randolph Cavanaugh, who explains that he owns two-thirds of the invention. When Lord Randolph recognizes that Felicia has an unerring ability to conceptualize the mechanical process, soon all three are working together to prepare the machine for an exhibition to be graced by the Queen’s husband, Prince Albert. However, Sir Horace Winthrop, a Luddite who fears the development of new technologies, bribes his nephew, artist Clive Mayhew, to destroy the Throgmortons’ work. Clive hesitates to sabotage another artisan’s creation but fears the violent criminal who holds his gambling debts. Lord Randolph’s recognition that Felicia is the woman of his dreams further complicates matters. Laurens fans will appreciate cameos from the Cynster family, and any reader will appreciate Felicia’s pride in her skills, her bittersweet knowledge that her father never saw or valued her talent, and her growing love for the man who believes in her from the start. This is an unusual and winsome historical romance. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary. (May)