The story in one page
Audrie Brendon finds herself in a complicated web of secrets when she aids her friend Ellaline in an elopement scheme. This involves a cross-country motor tour alongside the stoic, suspicious Sir Lionel Pendragon. While navigating the historic landscapes of Sussex and the West Country, Audrie struggles to maintain her cover despite Lionel’s growing frustration with her perceived mischief. Misunderstandings multiply when a meddling opportunist named Dick Burden enters the mix, threatening to expose the charade. As the car covers miles of English road, the two leads move from mutual irritation toward an eventual, tearful confession of affection.
Who's who
- Audrie Brendon
An American traveler caught in a complex web of romantic deception.
- Sir Lionel Pendragon
A guarded, noble motorist who initially views Audrie with intense suspicion.
- Ellaline
Audrie's friend whose own secret elopement forces Audrie into her difficult position.
- Dick Burden
A meddling cad whose interference forces the protagonists to finally face reality.
What it's really about
- The Romantic Road
- Geography serves as a backdrop for emotional transformation.
- Deception and Honor
- Lies kept for friends eventually obstruct personal happiness.
Why it's memorable
- The car navigating the ancient, lichen-covered spires of the Sussex Downs.
- A diamond ring, purchased in a Chester shop, acting as a catalyst for confession.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
After a long-awaited confrontation, Lionel reveals he has loved Audrie since their first meeting. He replaces the ring on her finger, and they decide to share their future in a historic castle.
For your book club
- Does the constant letter-writing make the characters feel more or less real?
- How does the early 20th-century motoring experience define the pacing of the romance?