A wilful ward

Set in the crisp autumn of 19th‑century England, the story opens on the eve of the grand Hollingsby Hunt, a social event that brings together the county’s gentry, tenants, and eager youngsters. Kathleen, a spirited young woman, is torn between her love for the spectacle and the unsettling cruelty of the sport, while her Aunt Ellicott, a compassionate yet outspoken figure, challenges the accepted norms with quiet moral conviction.

Through witty dialogue and vivid descriptions of rain‑slick fields, riding attire, and the thundering hounds, the novel paints a lively portrait of rural aristocracy and the deep‑rooted traditions that bind them. As the hunt approaches, the clash of ideals between niece and aunt foreshadows a broader examination of duty, compassion, and the price of maintaining appearances in a world where every creature—human or fox—has its place.