John de Lancaster: a novel; vol. I.

In early March 1751 the De Lancaster family gathers at Kray Castle to celebrate the saint’s day, a tradition that welcomes both gentry and the local poor. Robert De Lancaster, a respected Welsh gentleman, presides over a festive hall where his only son Philip and his widowed brother’s daughter, Cecilia, move through the celebrations with quiet dignity. Cecilia, having raised herself after her mother’s death, runs the household with a calm authority that earns every guest’s admiration.

Among the many admirers, Sir Owen ap Owen—a baronet of rugged lands and modest learning—has spent five years pursuing her. Known more for settling disputes over a barrel of ale than for scholarly pursuits, his generous estate and blunt good nature keep his name in every parish gossip. His persistent courtship promises a clash of temperaments: Cecilia’s measured poise against Owen’s straightforward vigor, setting the stage for family duty, social expectation, and a budding romance.