The Whirl: A Romance of Washington Society

Sir Percy Carlyon arrives in Washington with a clear career ladder in mind: within four years he hopes to succeed his uncle as ambassador. A seasoned traveler with sun‑kissed skin from India and battle‑worn winters in the Balkans, he is as methodical as he is ambitious, already untangling the “unfinished business” left by his lazy yet brilliant uncle, Lord Baudesert. The icy December woods outside the capital mirror his solitary moment of hope, a quiet promise of the future he intends to claim.

The embassy’s social world is a tapestry of Victorian propriety and subtle power plays. Lord Baudesert’s widowed sister, Mrs. Vereker, presides over the household, while her three daughters—Jane, Sarah and Isabella— navigate the delicate balance between family expectations and their own desires. With a potential American heiress looming as a marital threat, Sir Percy must negotiate not only diplomatic duties but also the intricate charms and machinations of Washington society, where love and ambition often intertwine.