Kissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 2 of 3)

The novel follows Hester Gould, a young woman whose change in fortune propels her into a provincial social circle where rivalries, invitations, and marriage negotiations test friendships and character. Ellen Streightley, her warmhearted friend, and the Streightley family—Robert and Katharine—navigate etiquette, gossip, and unequal expectations as suitors and fashionable acquaintances arrive. Episodes move between country-house scenes, city intelligence, and moral reckonings that examine ambition, love, and the influence of money on personal loyalties. Gradually secrets and misunderstandings are uncovered, producing consequences that compel several characters to face pride, responsibility, and retribution.