Oranges and lemons

"Oranges and Lemons" by Mary C. E. Wemyss is a novel set in the early 1900s where family ties and expectations shape the lives of its characters. The story revolves around Marcus Maitland, a bachelor, his sister Sibyl, and his niece Diana, whose lives become intertwined when Sibyl asks Marcus to look after Diana. We see Marcus's quiet life disrupted by the arrival of Diana, even as he navigates the strong personalities of his brother-in-law and sister-in-law. The narrative explores themes of love, guardianship, personal expression, and societal pressures, with the contrast between Marcus's traditional outlook and Diana's youthful spirit driving the plot. The story showcases the push and pull between family obligations and individual desires, painting a picture of the challenges and rewards of navigating familial relationships during an uncertain future.