Daisy Ashton Abroad: A romantic adventure set in the 1850s

This is more than a historical romance, for it illustrates the cronyism of mid-19th Century Britain, its class divisions and snobbery, where high position was not necessarily correlated with ability, or even common sense, and in which woman were beginning to make their mark, but not necessarily through common cause and co-operation, but in the kind of rivalry and conflict that characterised the nursing recruits to the Crimean War, one of whom was Daisy Ashton.

Daisy knows little about her origins or how she came to live under the guardianship of the Marquess of Chantry, until an overheard conversation enlightens her. But now her protector is dead and she marks her 21st birthday by setting out to make her own way in the world. Her only close friend thus far has been William, the Marquess's horse-groom. When he volunteers for the British Army and goes to the Crimea, she determines to find a way to follow. Meanwhile, rising young diplomat, Lucas Denton, is keeping an eye on her, concerned for her wellbeing in the face of one Lord Calthwaite's dishonourable intentions and not a little attracted to her himself. Daisy at last finds a way to travel to the East and leave behind the petty tittle-tattle and jealousies of so-called society ladies. Little does she expect to find another kind of warfare raging amongst the dedicated but strong-willed women nursing at the front!