MERIDON by Philippa Gregory (Softcover) - © 1990

Meridon knew she didn’t belong in the dirty vagabond life of the gypsy. At eight in her dreams, the copper-haired young girl rode a great horse across the wheat-rich fields and graceful gardens of one of England’s ancient estates . . . and in her dreams, she was mistress of all this land. The vision burned in her heart, even in the midst of the Salisbury Fair of 1805, where thieves, wastrels, and circus rogues bargained for their fortunes. In this harsh life, Meridon clung to her beloved sister, Dandy, and became and expert trainer of horses. Her magical skills opened the door to new, promising world. But Dandy always wanted more, and her greed left Meridon heartbroken and lost, following the wind and the urgings of her dreams, as she rode in the moonlight past the rusted gates, up the winding drive, to her home . . . clutching the golden clasps of the necklace that was her birthright . . . home at last to Wideacre. The lost child had returned to claim her legacy as the granddaughter of Beatrice Lacey and daughter of Julia . . . the sole heir to all of Wideacre. Now as mistress of the great estate, she swore she would acquire the ways of the “Quality”, she would dress, speak and behave as a lady born. Only one man, Will Tyacke, the powerful manager of Wideacre, saw her truly . . . not as a sawdust squire, but as the woman she was . . . denying her hunger for love and her need for the land. But even Will could not stop her alliance with Lady Clara Havering, . . .