Tuppenny Times — Beryl Kingston

Spirited and independent, lady's maid Nan Smithen has ambitions far beyond her station. Marriage to a wealthy businessman enchanted by her youth brings her position, children and a comfortable union. Until her doting husband is killed on an ill-fated trip to revolutionary France. Alone with three young children, Nan faces a bleak future, for there is no money left. But the strength of will that brought her this far drives her on. A newswalk in Mayfair is her first step towards establishing a business empire that will soon stretch throughout London and beyond. Nan's fortune starts to grow. Then Calverly Leigh, a dashing - and dangerous - cavalry officer waltzes into Nan's life and she discovers there is much, much more to life than selling the Tuppenny Times...