American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin (2010)

I like period novels and this was set in the 1890's in the world of the rich in Newport, RI and New York and in England - in London and a country estate. I was not thrilled to be reading about the fictional richest heiress in the U.S. of her time, but Cora Cash, the lead character was spunky and endearing, even if spoiled. It was an interesting concept, that Cora's mother felt she needed to buy her daughter "class," by marrying her off to a titled duke in England. And the duke was happy to marry a rich heiress to infuse his estate with much needed cash. There were moments when this book felt a bit like a regency romance, but one of those would end with the wedding. This book showed the realities of living together and getting to know each other, each other's past histories, which make life complicated.

The book was also richer with period detail - maybe not quite as detailed as Philippa Gregory's books about England, but it had enough about the clothing, architecture, travel, social structure, servants' world. There was a moment when I imagined the author as a girl playing dress-up with her dolls, as she described all these luxurious gowns worn by Cora. I keep wondering how they packed, stored and transported these massive gowns. The complexities of entertaining royalty were shown, and I believe exist to this day.

The characters were not one dimensional. Cora is well educated and surprisingly strong after living under the tyranny of her mother. Maybe that is why she can usually take care of her husband's double duchess mother. Her husband Ivo,  Duke of Wareham, is complex, moody, though seems to really be in love with Cora, but with a past that haunts him. The two mothers were stereotypically nasty. Cora and Ivo both have past romances that play their roles. Bertha was Cora's maid that she brings with her from the U.S. and is her only familiar from home. I like the subplot about Bertha and her life.