The Bride of Pontravon — Mair Unsworth

When Sarah Linton travels from the squalor of London to Pontravon House, nestled in beautiful Victorian Wales, her reception by the Lerry family is less than warm. Suspicion is immediately aroused by a letter Sarah carries to Mrs. Claudis Lerry introducing her as the prospective bride of her stepson Gethin. Cranog, Gethin's younger brother, escorts Sarah to the nearby home of his grandmother despite his mother's insistence that she be sent from the estate at once. Upon Gethin's return from the army, he had little time for Sarah or the lead mines that he is due to inherit. On the heels of this hurt, Sarah receives devastating news concerning her questionable birthright. Shocked and dismayed she resolves to leave Pontravon at once. But before Sarah can go, Gethin is injured and she is compelled to remain. It is during this delay that Sarah realizes she and Gethin will never marry. Only then is Sarah free to find the true happiness that had always awaited her, just slightly beyond reach, at Pontravon House