Lady Fortescue Steps Out

The Poor Relation, Book 1

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Life is not easy for the poor relations of England’s upper crust, but fate and clever schemes bring them together. Lady Fortescue and Colonel Sandhurst hatch a plan: What if they were to transform her decrepit Bond Street home into a posh hotel, offering their guests the pleasure of being waited upon by nobility? With the help of other down-and-out aristocrats, they do just that, and London’s newest hotel, The Poor Relation, is born.

The establishment is an immediate hit with London’s most illustrious citizens, save the Duke of Rowcester, Lady Fortescue’s nephew. Rowcester believes that his aunt’s entry into the trade will denigrate their family name and is determined to shut the hotel down - until he meets Miss Harriett James, the lovely young woman who accepts Lady Fortescue’s offer to become The Poor Relation’s chef after the death of her parents and the loss of her fortune. Rowcester moves into The Poor Relation for the season - ostensibly to keep an eye on his aunt’s business.

©1992 Marion Chesney (P)2012 AudioGO

Light listening

A pleasant little story, fun characters, interesting bits of historical detail woven into the story. And as always, excellent narration by Davina Porter.

Wonderful Passtime

What other book might you compare Lady Fortescue Steps Out to and why?

This is the first time listening to a book in this period. I'll tell you is was great fun, filled with quirky characters and odd customs of the time. It reminded me of Downton Abbey ,although I think it is set decades before, it's more from the poor relations viewpoint, and it's much more whimsical. The performance was sensational! A good light way to pass the time.

Forceful picture of Era

Great way to learn the misfortunes of those persons, helpless against the restrictive rules of Society. If you were not the controller of the purse strings, you lived on handouts, since the Job for wages wasn't easily found, and for women was usually a degrading one!

PG, clean, fun. laughing

Would you listen to Lady Fortescue Steps Out again? Why?

loved it. would recommend it. and listen again.

Any additional comments?

if you like stories set in 1800's in England with romance to boot. try this book and series out.worst case you return it.

Lady Fortescue

Witty. Vivid. Amusing. Insightful. Sympathetic. Period. Fast paced. Descriptive. Heart warming. Joyful. Sincere. Lovely.

loved this book planning to buy the series

couldn't stop listening what a lovely book 😍 and of course the narration with my favorite Divina

Fun story, well read

I really enjoyed this book, it was funny and well read, a good introduction to the series and the author.

Sheer fun in a grand listen

Always enjoy a clever well plotted story. The characters are distinct and interesting. I gobbled this one up.

Enjoyable listen

What made the experience of listening to Lady Fortescue Steps Out the most enjoyable?

The narrator is excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the description of the hotel and the gowns.

Which character – as performed by Davina Porter – was your favorite?

Sir Phillip

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The kitchen scene

If you like Elizabeth Peters of Ryhs Bowen...

Try this is you are a Regency fan - much fun - the later books are much the same (as with many series) but if you are good with predictable, listen on!