E. F. Benson 
Queen Lucia 

Small-town rivals engage in a ruthless battle of wits in the first novel of this beloved satirical series about the Edwardian upper class. The small English village of Riseholme may only have one street, but it contains many paths for the committed social climber. In this this eccentric enclave of the idle rich, Emmeline Lucas—known as Lucia—is the reigning social queen. And together with her husband Peppino and her best friend Georgie, she is determined to protect her crown from her neighbor and rival, the fad-chasing Daisy Quantock. But when Daisy discovers the latest sensation—Indian mysticism—Lucia must find a way to capture the interest of a mysterious guru who has all of Riseholme under his spell. As petty gossip turns to vicious scheming, Riseholme will witness a charm offensive like they’ve never seen in this timeless comedy of manners.