Fallen Fortunes

"Fallen Fortunes" by Evelyn Everett-Green is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of the War of the Spanish Succession and the Battle of Ramillies, the story follows Grey Dumaresq, a young man who has recently returned to England after years of wandering. He discovers his father's death and an uncertain inheritance that has fallen victim to a scheming relative, setting the stage for a tale of ambition, rivalry, and the quest for redemption. The opening of the book plunges the reader into the heat of battle as Grey Dumaresq and his servant Dicon emerge over a ridge to view the Allied forces in combat against the French at Ramillies. In the midst of the chaos, Grey witnesses the Duke of Marlborough and seizes an opportunity to aid him, thus marking his entrance into a world where his bravery may set the foundation for his future. However, upon returning home, he learns of his father's demise and the machinations of a cunning kinsman who has taken advantage of his family’s fall from grace. With a burning desire to reclaim his father's estate and honor his legacy, Grey resolves to carve out his own path in life, leading him into the complexities of London society and the challenges that lie ahead.