The Railway Countess

When Pretend Becomes Real

Marcella and Crispin made a pact to pretend to be courting to satisfy his avaricious father who coveted her dowry for the family coffers and fend off her unwanted suitors. They become friends, having similar interests in science and railway construction through her father’s firm and Crispin’s investments. Crispin takes on the role of her protector against one particularly nasty suitor who kept trying to compromise her so she’d be forced to marry him because of her dowry. I loved the musical duet they performed with her emphasis in one song on not being governed by a man. I felt for Marcella and her love of learning, not being allowed to fully pursue it. I enjoyed hearing about the female scientists who made their mark during her time. I laughed when Crispin tried to discourage Marcella from dressing as a man to attend a lecture which did not allow women, a ban which would be unthinkable today. There is attraction between them but he fights it, not wanting to marry, like he was afraid to become like his father and make her miserable like his mother especially with their different backgrounds and society’s opinions. They both have to decide whether love is worth the risk.