The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White

Libby Sinclair doesn’t belong anywhere.

Not at home with her mother or her sister Edith who are always begging her to be more ladylike. Definitely not with her brother who seems determined to run her life. And not with the fiancé he’s picked out for her either.

So she and her lady’s maid Mabena Moon make an impromptu trip to the Scillies under the guise of visiting Mabena’s family. But when they arrive at their cottage for the summer, they find the former tenant’s things still in the drawers—a former tenant who also is named Elizabeth.

Who has gone missing without a trace. Who was having mysterious gifts delivered to her that might have to do with the legendary treasure of John Mucknell. Who is the sister of Oliver Tremayne, who just seems to have an odd link to Libby’s past.

Libby is definitely a little bit of a softer character after the hardcore codebreaker women. But it’s done beautifully. Though she struggles with loneliness and tends to be more sensitive than some other characters, never does she make stupid decisions just for the sake of the plot and whatever emotional fit she’s in at the time. I related a lot to her, and I believe she will bring a lot of comfort to readers who don’t feel as if they fit where they are.

I was a little leery when I saw Oliver was set up to be a vicar. I’ve read some historical fiction where the vicar character is super preachy and still ends up getting the girl, but was interested to see what Roseanna White would do with it. And it was perfect! While his faith influences him, he’s also shown as a normal person with struggles and hobbies just like everyone else.

Mabena was portrayed well as a strong girl who learns it’s okay to be weak sometimes. I loved that dynamic. Gotta admit, I didn’t like Casek AT ALL at first, but he redeemed himself, I think.

The characters are so vivid and vibrant! Each one, down to the side characters, stands out in their own way. The roles are switched up in unlikely ways. I’m looking forward to learning more about some of the side characters later in the series.

The plot is brilliant! I had seen Roseanna White’s article on the legend behind this book before reading the book and was really excited to hear about it. I had never heard of John Mucknell, nor his long buried treasure (or is it?). It was a very neat dynamic . . . can’t say I’ve read very many other treasure hunt books. (And this National Treasure fan was all in.)

I’d also never read a book set in the Scillies. The culture was beautiful and so immersing. I enjoyed every minute learning about it.

I have nothing negative to say about this book, other than that the second book isn’t released yet!

The Nature of a Lady is the nature of a good book as well.