Nell, the Duchess of Manchester - by Robert Wainwright (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The forgotten, unique and fascinating story of Australia's first and only duchess, from the bestselling author of Sheila and Enid.

When an unassuming young Melbourne woman bumped into a handsome naval lieutenant in a Colombo hotel swimming pool in 1926 she would never have dreamed of one day being the wife of an English duke with three castles.

Demure but feisty Nell Stead and Alexander 'Mandy' Drogo Montagu, son of the ninth Duke of Manchester, fell in love that day and were married within months in a union that surprised English society. Together, the unlikely couple set out to rescue the family's fortunes that had been crippled by taxes and financial mismanagement.

In a world of contrasts, they battle the excesses and eccentricities of dubious relatives under the threat of war to revive a dying estate, including a castle in which Catherine of Aragon spent her final days.

About the Author

Robert Wainwright has been a journalist for 25 years, rising from the grassroots of country journalism in Western Australia to a senior writer with The Sydney Morning Herald. His career has ranged from politics to crime, always focusing on the people behind the major news of the day. He is the author of Rose: The unauthorized biography of Rose Hancock Porteous, The Lost Boy, The Killing of Caroline Byrne, Sheila, Rocky Road and Enid.