Richard Carvel — Volume 02

Set in the elegant streets of Annapolis, the tale follows Richard Carvel, an heir whose world is upended by the arrival of a spirited young woman, Dorothy Manners. Their playful rivalry is laced with witty banter and a parade of fashionable suitors, as Richard wrestles with expectations of duty and his own yearning for independence. The narrative captures the glitter of balls, the clatter of carriage wheels, and whispered intrigues of a society obsessed with lineage and reputation. Through Richard's eyes, listeners glimpse a bygone era where every stitch of clothing and every whispered remark could tilt the balance of love and ambition.

When Richard turns to the guidance of Patty Swain, the housekeeper whose home is a labyrinth of oak panels and quiet corners, he discovers a sanctuary from the social games. Her gentle counsel and the joy of a shawl offer a contrasting calm that grounds his restless spirit. Listeners are invited to share his steps toward adulthood, feeling the tension between duty to family estates and the pull of a heart that refuses to be tamed.