A cousin to Lady Betty of "Lady Betty Across the Water," Lord Loveland is another impoverished British peer who decides to go to America in hopes of landing a rich spouse.

Incidentally, it's very interesting reading novels set in this time period because so many of them center on Brits having to marry Americans to rescue their family estate. I've learned a fair amount about how common that was; and actually because of Downton Abbey lots of books are now being written or reprinted about the "Dollar Princesses," as these American girls were called. In America it was much easier than in Britain for rich fathers to split their wealth amongst their children, including girls. So for a few decades America was like honey to the bees and tons of transatlantic matches were made (including Winston Churchill's mother and father). The men got money, the girls got a title, social status and a huge house to live in. Both sides considered it a fair bargain.

On the boat ride over, Lord Loveland falls in love with an ordinary girl. Since she doesn't claim to be distinguished, rich, or anything else in particular, he arrogantly decides that he'll just have to treat her as a friend, and confides in her about his matrimonial intentions, and asks advice about the more wealthy young ladies on board. Fortunately, Lesley (which is her name) has a sense of humor and is able to play along. Only to herself does she admit that she cares for Lord Loveland, but she's still not blinded to his faults and realizes that he's pretty shallow.

Once in New York, Lord Loveland ends up penniless, homeless, and nearly clothesless, through a series of misunderstandings. So, to the degree that his cousin Betty got to see the high life of America, he gets to see the low life. (And by low life, I don't mean anything sordid. I just mean having to seek employment/lodging/food at some pretty bleak places.) Naturally things get straightened out, and in the process Lord Loveland becomes rather more human.
I went into this knowing it probably wasn't as much fun as Lady Betty's book. And it wasn't. But I like to read books that go together anyway. ( )

I expected light and frothy from the opening chapters and then it took a completely different turn. I thought Lord Loveland would get his comeuppance but not being peniless and homeless and nearly friendless on the streets of New York. It was more deflty handled for a melodrama but the ending was forecast about 5 chapters out and that was tedious to make it's way to. However, worth looking up one or two more by the same author. Also, some truly dreadful (though perhaps not out of place for the time) racist sterotypes. Hope those don't continue.

This is a formulaic romance of the Edwardian times - impoverished aristocrat seeks American heiress. The situations are implausible, but its a good light read, with witty dialog.