Life in the English county of Derbyshire is in a state of upheaval. Several families – all with marriageable young ladies and gentlemen – become entangled in romances and intrigues in a time of optimism. Fate has been kind to the somewhat neglected estates of the traditional families who fell on hard times in the late 18th century. Now, in the middle of the 19th century, the Asquith, Cavendish, Ponsonby and York families have new sources of income and are keen to modernise their estates and restore their tarnished reputations. Funds are still limited, but there is a new spirit of optimism in the south of Derbyshire!

This part of the county is particularly envious of Alderley Hall, where the Earl’s widow Margaret Fairchild and her sister-in-law Ethel reside with a joint income of well over £20,000 a year. Only the loneliness of the sprawling estate clouds the generous hearts of the two widowed and childless ladies.

To their great delight, they have now been able to welcome new residents: Margaret’s dashing nephew Charles and her charming niece Elizabeth. Both had recently experienced a tragedy. When their parents were crossing the English Channel on their way back from a trip to the south of France, they were killed in a severe storm. The deaths of Margaret’s brother-in-law and his wife meant that Charles and Elizabeth now live permanently on the Fairchilds’ estate, far away from their childhood home in Yorkshire. A year has now passed since the terrible accident and, of course, the stalwart Fairchilds know exactly what the best medicine for a grieving heart is: romance! There’s plenty of prime marriage material in the estates of the surrounding hills. The neighbouring Derbyshire families all have children of marriageable age – and the Fairchild ladies have big plans.

Details
– Players: 1-4
– Age: 14+
– Playing time: 30-90 min
– Complexity: advanced connoisseur game