The Accidental Duchess

Emma Manners’s engrossing biography, ‘The Accidental Duchess’ From Farmer’s Daughter to Belvoir Castle, recounts an unforeseen journey. Emma Watkins, the Welsh farmer’s pony-obsessed daughter fell in love with David Manners without realizing he was the heir apparent to one of the most important hereditary titles in the country.

Against all chances, Emma became the chatelaine of Belvoir Castle, the ancient seat of the Rutland Dukes, when David succeeded his father. Inspired by the extraordinary ladies who had come before her, she took on the enormous task of overseeing the immense estate, dealing with five rowdy children, and updating the castle.