Gilded Girls — Pamela M. Kelley

A Gilded Age Cinderella story...of sorts.When Eliza Chapman, a London ladies maid, learns that Ward Redfield, one of the richest, most successful men in New York City is also her father, her whole world changes. He has sent a one-way ticket for her to join him, his mother and his daughters, Alice and Rose, at his palatial Manhattan mansion. Eliza quickly discovers, however, that her new sisters are not so enthusiastic about her arrival.To say Eliza is a fish out of water is an understatement. She suddenly has her own ladies maid and learns that she is expected to find a husband. As the social season gets underway she is swept into a whirl of teas, luncheons, balls and other events.Two men vie for her interests, Will is the most eligible bachelor of the season--he's handsome and charming, practically perfect as they have many shared interests. Nick is a lot of fun, he's also British, and it's understood that he is in search of a wife with a fortune—in exchange for his title. Though Alice quite firmly has set her eye on him.And then there's Harry, the first person Eliza meets in the city as he is sent to collect her. He works for the family and has dreams of starting his own company. She's most comfortable with him and he becomes a good friend. Harry is not a contender for more than that as he would never be accepted by high society. As Eliza settles in she meets new people--among them Minnie--a brilliant married friend, who is a gifted and driven investor. Eliza also helps her father with his correspondence and falls in love with his real estate development business discovering that she has both an interest and an aptitude for it. She begins to question what is most important to her.But then an unexpected tragedy changes everything and Eliza has to reconsider her dreams and embrace new possibilities.