Sally E. Svenson

Thank you author Sally Svenson for offering me this book to review! Although I make a hobby of reading about the British Aristocracy, and have also read books about Jennie Jerome (who married Randolph Churchill) and Consuelo Vanderbilt (who married the 9th Duke of Marlborough), I knew nothing of Lily Price Hamersley who married the 8th Duke of Marlborough.

Lily was a remarkable woman. Born into an upper-middle class family in Troy, New York Lily was a beautiful and charming young woman. Her first husband, Louis Hamersley, introduced her to high society in New York City, and, when he died, left her a very wealthy woman, much to the consternation of his family who were expecting large inheritances from his estate. Their long, drawn out law suit contesting Hamersley's will reminded me of the Jarndyce v. Jarndyce law suit in Bleak House.During this time, Lily proved her mettle facing down not only her husband's family, but also the society gossips of New York. Eventually winning the law suit, she emerged a very wealthy widow - just the person the 8th Duke of Marlborough would be attracted to.

Lily's marriage to the Duke was also fraught with scandal, mostly because of his behavior prior to their marriage. Although she was presented at Court, she never was truly a part of Court circles, despite her rank, because of Marlborough's prior sexual escapades. However, Lily seems to have made the best of it becoming an outdoors woman to become close to her husband and generously pouring money into his estate at Blenheim (at one point she pays the the three acres [!!] of roof to be repaired). However,no fool she, at all times she retains control of her own money.

When the Duke dies suddenly, Lily acts with grace and charm, turning Blenheim immediately over to the 9th Duke and his mother (her husband's first wife) with nary a squawk or whimper. It would be nice to think that she was treated with corresponding respect by the new Duke, but sadly such was not the case. Lily, however, floated above it all and, in the process, married her third husband, the sporty Anglo-Irish Lord William de la Poer Beresford.

This last marriage seemed to be the happiest. Lilly had her own beautiful country estate where she entertained lavishly, and at the age of 42, became a mother for the first time.

Although she died too young of cancer at the age of 55, Lily had led a full life. She was full of confidence, a shrewd business woman, and a precursor for the feminists who would follow after her in the twentieth century.… (altro)