Illusions of Happiness

Illusions of Happiness by Elizabeth Lord

The loss of innocence.

For eighteen-year-old Madeline, the summer of her return from an exclusive boarding school in Switzerland is one of leisurely afternoons and whimsical daydreams. Her parents, however, are determined to shape her future by choosing the man who will be her husband after a suitable courtship.  He is Hamilton Bramwell, hand-picked by them to provide for her all the comforts of a proper English life, while socializing in elite circles. He may not be sophisticated and suave, but her father has spoken, and no one ever,ever, disobeys him. Then one day the local milkman arrives at the back door of their sprawling, majestic home, and innocent Maddie finds herself caught in a whirlwind of ardent love and clandestine meetings with this handsome smooth talker.
Not exactly what her domineering father had in mind.

A child is born. A child is taken away. A dictatorial father and subservient mother sever all ties with their daughter. So with only a small pittance of an allowance from her parents, Madeline resumes her life alone, learning to survive in London during the War-torn years of the early 1900s. By chance, she meets wealthy stock-broker James Ingleton while out one evening with her new-found friends. So much older than she, James is kind and caring, looking for nothing more than companionship. A husband who would be willing to search for her missing child and bestow upon her all the material things she once took for granted. Once again Madeline makes a decision that will alter her life forever. In the years that follow she believes the words of so many, finally realizing that "life has a way of tearing down the strongest promise".

You undoubtedly have read the theme of this story before, this time from a British author who carves out a spirited character forced to deal with the innocence she lost so many years ago. Discover what she should have learned but never did; will it be too late for her to turn back time?  "Not so much made a fool of but having been a fool".  These words echo in her mind.

For some, true happiness is just an illusion.....