Harper, Karen (Karen S.)
Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt
her “The Wedding of the Century” to the Duke of Marlborough
and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold.” On a cold November day in 1895
a carriage approaches St Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward
awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18
the beautiful bride has not only arrived late
but in tears
yet her marriage to the aloof Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother
Alva
Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made
trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige
and Consuelo
bred to obey
realizes she must make the best of things. At Blenheim Palace
Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties
including producing an “heir and a spare
” but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength
charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill
as she fights for women’s suffrage. And when she takes a scandalous leap
can she hope to attain love at last…? From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age
to the battles of the Second World War
American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence—at any price.