Lisa Kleypas’ much anticipated, long-awaited Queen of Lombard Street is equal parts swoon and rage inducing, weaving a triumphant love story into a riveting, meticulously researched tale of money, sex and greed.
The anchor of the story is a stunningly unconventional yet historically accurate Victorian woman. Before she turns 30, Reina Martin is already a published economist with articles in Bankers’ Magazine and a trained lawyer, though not allowed to practice. Those achievements are especially remarkable because Reina was never supposed to be educated or appear in society. Her mother, a flamenco dancer, was a wealthy man’s mistress, a demimondaine, and as a child, Reina overheard her Papa predict that she would “likely follow in her mother’s footsteps.” In the meantime, he wanted her to be schooled in the fine art of being decorative and charming—to learn embroidery, singing and how to improve her hair and clothing, activities he deemed “appropriate for a girl in her situation.” Instead, through phenomenal talent and even fiercer determination to surpass the limitations forced upon her as a child born out of wedlock, Reina became a trailblazer. Defying her father’s dictates, Reina’s mother ensured that she would have an education on par with any man, and Reina put that education to use to secure her independence.
Eventually Reina becomes a major figure in London’s Lombard Street banking district, with plans to found a much-needed bank for women (reflecting the very real social foment that preceded the 1882 Married Women’s Property Act). But after her mother relocates to Spain, Reina is left without family or even a real home of her own. So she buys a crumbling manse in a respectable part of town. Given her own marginal social status, her belief in social reform and the shortage of people willing to be in household service in England’s rapidly changing industrial society, Reina turned to recently released convicts to staff her home. The standout in this motley, untested crew is a handsome gentleman Reina hires as butler, Mr. John Pembroke. Unbeknownst to Reina, Pembroke isn’t a convict at all but an undercover police detective, on special assignment to investigate whether Reina was party to the alleged fraud perpetrated by her longtime mentor. It’s a perfect setup for plenty of upstairs-downstairs drama and comedy.
Since her debut in 1987, Kleypas has been best known for writing acclaimed historical romance. But Queen of Lombard Street has a wider lens, capturing the financial and social inequities of British society in the industrial age. However, there’s still room for love in this complex and thoroughly winning novel, and her fans will appreciate the magnet-like attraction and well-earned trust between Reina and the rough-hewn but learned and passionate Pembroke. Although the blend of politically astute history with a hard-earned love story is not an entirely original combination, fans of the romances of Alyssa Cole, Beverly Jenkins and Courtney Milan will adore Queen of Lombard Street.