When Mary Ann Ellis find outs that her maid Jenny is pregnant out of wedlock with a man named Matthew who is the groom of her neighbour,the rich libertine Edward Carradine. She sets out on crusade to make things right.

This is what I would like to think of as Paula Allardyces personal views on the feminist movement in the 1960s/70s.

Its not a very romantic book either as the hero has a mistress ,Sophy whom he breaks up with in the beginning but then gets back together with after the first meeting between Mary Ann and Edward.

..and when I say get back together.I mean they have offpage sex.

Its admittedly not the best of her books but it does has some good moments, like the one near the end when the heroine and the heros aunt drinks wine inside a burning house.

/"Why my dear think we should sit down and have another glass of wine.You need not be afraid. I am certain my nephew will be along any moment now:if not,the neighbours will come to our rescue.The fire must be visible for miles.


There is also a bad guy named Cabbage Powers. ( )