Did the 5th Duke of Portland, noted for his eccentricity and reclusiveness, establish a second identity, that of T.C. Druce, prominent merchant in Edwardian London, and live two separate lives? That is the claim of Anna Maria Druce, who says that her deceased father-in-law was in reality the Duke and that T.C. Druce's death in 1864 was faked by the Duke as he had tired of the charade. If Druce's claim is true, the vast fortune that passed to a distant cousin of the Duke upon his death in 1879 properly belongs to Anna Maria's son as a direct descendant of the Duke.
This complicated true story of secret identities, mistresses, offspring both legitimate and illegitimate comes complete with secret passageways, court room drama and even a mysterious "Veiled Lady".
The author, [author:Piu Marie Eatwell|7259236] conducted meticulous research using newspapers, court documents and where possible personal correspondence in an attempt to discover the truth behind the many and various claims about the Duke, the Druce family and the fortune that hung in the balance. The result is an entertaining and informative expose of Edwardian England and the prejudices, hypocrisy and chicanery that impacted the lives of everyone -- from Dukes to scullery maids.
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