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Gilded Girl Kindle Edition

by Pamela M. Kelley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5,283 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Gilded Age History of the U.S.
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A Gilded Age Cinderella story...of sorts.

When Eliza Chapman, a London ladies maid, learns that Ward Redfield, one of the richest, most successful men in New York City is also her father, her whole world changes. He has sent a one-way ticket for her to join him, his mother and his daughters, Alice and Rose, at his palatial Manhattan mansion. Eliza quickly discovers, however, that her new sisters are not as enthusiastic about her arrival.

To say Eliza is a fish out of water is an understatement. She suddenly has her own ladies maid and learns that she is expected to find a husband. As the social season gets underway she is swept into a whirl of teas, luncheons, balls and other events.

Two men vie for her interests, Will is the most eligible bachelor of the season--he's handsome and charming, practically perfect as they have many shared interests. Nick is a lot of fun, he's also British, and it’s understood that he is in search of a wife with a fortune—in exchange for his title. Though Alice quite firmly has set her eye on him.

And then there's Harry, the first person Eliza meets in the city as he is sent to collect her. He works for the family and has dreams of starting his own company. She's most comfortable with him and he becomes a good friend. Harry is not a contender for more than that as he would never be accepted by high society.

As Eliza settles in she meets new people--among them Minnie--a brilliant married friend, who is a gifted and driven investor. Eliza also helps her father with his correspondence and falls in love with his real estate development business discovering that she has both an interest and an aptitude for it.

But then an unexpected tragedy changes everything and Eliza has to reconsider her dreams and embrace new possibilities.

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    August 30, 2022
  5. File size
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The letter that changed everything arrived on a cold, dreary Monday. Eliza Chapman was arranging Lady Caroline Ashton's hair into a French twist when her father, Lord Ashton, knocked at the door of her dressing room. The door was half-open, but he knocked anyway.

"You look lovely. Your mother's pearls suit you."

Lady Caroline was getting ready for an important dinner party. She was twenty, two years younger than Eliza, and her family was anxious for her to meet someone appropriate.

"Lord Billings is going to be swept off his feet by you. He'd make a very good match, you know," her father added.

Lady Caroline sighed. "Yes, you keep telling me that." She turned and smiled at him a moment later, though. "I'll be on my best behavior. Promise."

Her father laughed. Eliza had always admired the bond between the two. Lord Ashton clearly thought the world of his daughter. And she adored him, too. Eliza was a bit envious of that. Not their station in life, she knew better than to wish for something that she had no control over, but she longed for that kind of closeness. She'd had it once, with her mother, until she recently passed. But she never knew her father.

While the two of them talked, Eliza let her mind drift, and it went as it often did to her last moments with her mother. She'd been so sick and yet she struggled to tell Eliza something. But all she'd managed to say was, "I need to tell you the truth about your father."

She wasn't able to get the explanation out, though. Her energy was fading and her last two words were mumbled and almost incoherent. "A letter." Eliza had no idea what that meant. Did she send a letter? Receive one? What was in the letter? Eliza didn't know if she'd ever find out.

"Eliza?" By Lady Caroline's suddenly sharp tone, Eliza guessed it wasn't the first time she'd called her name.

"Yes?"

"Stop daydreaming! Father was trying to get your attention."

"I'm sorry, what is it?"

Lord Ashton spoke. "Lady Ashton would like to see you in her study at your earliest convenience."

Eliza secured Lady Caroline's hair with a final pin and took a step back.

Lady Caroline turned her head to admire her hair in all directions before nodding and saying, "That will do. You can run along."

Eliza scurried out of the room and down the long hallway and two flights of stairs until she reached the study. She knocked lightly on the closed door.

"You may enter."

Eliza pushed the door open and stepped inside. Lady Ashton sat behind a large, gleaming mahogany desk. She had a stack of papers in front of her and a newly opened envelope and folded letter on top.

"Have a seat."

Eliza sat in one of the two leather padded chairs directly across from the desk and waited. The only other time she'd been sent to the study, she'd been in trouble for not following a rule she wasn't aware of. She wondered what she'd done this time.

"Do you have any idea why you are here?"

"No. I am sorry, though, for whatever I did."

Lady Ashton smiled. "You're not in trouble, my dear. This is highly unusual, though. I've just received a letter... From your father."

Eliza leaned forward in her chair. Surely, she'd heard wrong. "My father?"

"You don't know anything about this?" She looked intrigued. "Do you even know who your father is?"

"My mother never said. She tried to tell me, before she passed, but she couldn't manage it."

"I see." Lady Ashton fiddled with the letter for a moment as though debating what to do, what to say. "Maybe it's best if I just read this to you."

Eliza nodded and waited for her to begin.

"My dearest Lady Ashton, it has recently come to my attention that I may have a third daughter. I believe Eliza Chapman is currently in your employ as a lady's maid. I met her mother many years ago when you and Lord Ashton were kind enough to invite my family to spend several weeks with you one summer. Vivian and I grew close, but we lost touch when I returned to the states. I never knew that we had a daughter together until she sent me a letter. She mentioned being sick and wanting me to know before she passed.

After much consideration, I would like to invite Eliza to come to New York City to meet her family. I want to try to be a father to her, if she'll allow it. I've enclosed a one-way ticket for her passage. Please give her my best regards and let her know that my daughters Alice and Rose also look forward to meeting her. I've enclosed a small sum of money so that she can purchase whatever she may need for the trip. Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter and I do apologize for stealing away one of your lady's maids. Yours most sincerely, Ward Redfield."

Lady Ashton stopped reading and looked up for Eliza's response, but she was speechless.

"Do you recognize the name Ward Redfield?" Lady Ashton asked.

"I don't. Should I?"

"He is one of the richest and most successful men in Manhattan. His Upper East Side mansion is the largest in the city. Your father is a very rich man."

It was a lot to absorb. "And he wants me to come visit?"

"He sent a one-way ticket. He wants you to stay. To go home."

"Home. To New York City." Eliza was stunned.

Lady Ashton leaned back in her chair and met Eliza's gaze. "It won't be easy, you know. There is the small matter of being illegitimate. Americans may be more accepting of that than we are, but it may still be problematic for you. It would be impossible here. But, perhaps we can help. Ward Redfield is a very good friend."

Eliza thought about what it all meant. This man had met her mother years ago, left her with child and went home, having no idea.

"I wonder why she never told him?" What would have happened if her mother had sent the letter when she first found out?

Lady Ashton shook her head sadly. "It simply wasn't done. She might not have been believed and even if she was, his parents never would have allowed them to be together. We always wondered what happened with your mother, who she was involved with. She never said a word to anyone. And we never judged."

Eliza nodded. She knew her mother was always grateful that the Ashtons had kept her on when they learned of the pregnancy and that they didn't ask any questions. Like Eliza, her mother had been a lady's maid too, for Lady Ashton.

Lady Ashton picked up her bell and rang it twice. A moment later, one of the housemaids stepped into the room.

"You rang, m'lady?"

"Yes, could you please fetch Lady Caroline and tell her to hurry?"

Minutes later, Lady Caroline strolled into the room, looking annoyed. "What is so important that I had to rush down here?"

"I think you should sit."

Lady Caroline sat in the chair next to Eliza and listened as her mother explained what was in the letter. When she finished, Lady Caroline's first words were, "So, this means I'm losing my lady's maid?"

Lady Ashton nodded. "That is correct. Though you won't go without. Mrs. Thompson will send another girl up to take Eliza's place." She looked at her daughter thoughtfully for a moment before adding, "You and Eliza are about the same size. Take her to your room and choose a selection of your dresses, enough to fill two trunks. She'll need daytime, evening and special occasion."

Lady Caroline's jaw dropped in confusion. "You want me to give her my clothes?"

"Yes, dear. You have plenty that you've worn and have no intention of wearing again. You know you never repeat your gowns that you've worn in public. They're just going to collect dust. This will tide Eliza over until she reaches New York and can do more shopping."

"More shopping?" Eliza felt dazed.

Lady Ashton smiled, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. "Eliza, you have no idea how your life is going to change." She glanced at her daughter. "Caroline, I'll have Mrs. Thompson send one of the footmen up with the trunks. Now, off with you both. Caroline, I hope you'll be excited for Eliza. Make sure you pick out some of your prettiest dresses."

Lady Caroline looked almost as dazed as Eliza, but finally managed a smile.

"All right, Eliza. Let's go shopping."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B9DC7FDY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Piping Plover Press (August 30, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 30, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3321 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5,283 ratings

About the author

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Pamela M. Kelley

Pamela M. Kelley

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Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.

She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two.

Feel free to sign up for her list to hear about new releases as soon as they are available as well as extras like early bird discounts. Just cut and paste into your browser, http://eepurl.com/IZbOH

Thank you!

~Pam

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
5,283 global ratings
Enjoyable Rags-to-Riches Story!
4 Stars
Enjoyable Rags-to-Riches Story!
Thank you @pamelamkelley @katerockbooktours for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.I love stories that take place at the dawn of the twentieth century and I really enjoyed this rags-to-riches story. Eliza proves to be a strong and likable female character with strong convictions and good intentions. Of course, there are a few less likable characters! I predicted early on how this one would end but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.Read this if you love:*Happily Ever After endings*Rags to Riches*Strong Female Characters*Historical Fiction
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Top reviews from the United States

buffmiller
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
I recently read my first book by Pamela Kelley, Fifth Avenue Apartment, and I really enjoyed it. The characters and story were so believable. Her writing reminds me of Danielle Steele. I enjoyed her writing so much I read a second book, Gilded Girl. Loved
this book too. I am hooked. I am now going to read her other books.
2 people found this helpful
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Lori
4.0 out of 5 stars Book to read
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
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Easy Read
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SBaker
5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
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The setting spans countries in a believable tale of families finding unexpected relationships. One woman's life circumstances provide fresh perspectives on changing social standards and opportunities. An engaging peek into a well written novel about the Gilded Era. Definitely a worthwhile read.
One person found this helpful
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Jessica Rowell
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
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Couldn’t put this book down, 5 stars! I could picture the setting with every written detail. So beautifully written. Hope there are more in this series to come!
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B.H.
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice story but little depth
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
As a MA native I enjoy many of Ms. Kelley's novels set on the cape and islands. They are quick, light reads and are great when I want a simple storyline. That said, I was really hoping for more with Gilded Girl. Although the book held my interest it seemed almost juvenile, as if written for young readers. It lacked the depth and richness of detail that I was hoping for, given the setting; there is so much more that could have been added to make this book much more interesting! In addition, I continue to be puzzled by the use of "that" for "who" when describing a person; with each new novel I am hoping to discover that this grammatical error has been corrected. A person is not a "that!" Maybe time for a new editor?
5 people found this helpful
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Amelia Lynch Rasmussen
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
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Great read, well written, I completely enjoyed this book! Highly recommend!
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Reader Lady
4.0 out of 5 stars My Musings
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023
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A lively tale with endearing characters, especially Eliza. She's a strong female protagonist, yet still feminine and still fit with the times. While the climax wasn't dramatic, it was lovely. Happy reading!
2 people found this helpful
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Luciene T. Raymond
5.0 out of 5 stars won't download after deleted accidently even after purchasing it again.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024
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ordered and my husband accidently deleted it from his ipad. so i bought it again and now it will not download. love the book, and i'm 75% done. help please
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Thalia
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. Having watched the Gilded Age I was eager to read this
book and I wasn’t disappointed. It was part of history I knew nothing about. Beautifully written and very
enjoyable. I have found myself a new author to follow.
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