A Ring of Rubies

"A Ring of Rubies" by L. T. Meade is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a young woman named Rosamund Lindley, who feels confined by her mundane life in a poor household. With aspirations of becoming an artist, she seeks to break free from her limitations and earn her independence, starting a significant journey when she decides to approach her wealthy cousin, Geoffrey Rutherford, for financial support. The opening of the narrative introduces Rosamund on the cusp of change, feeling frustrated with her life at home, where her family clings to a conservative and restrictive lifestyle. Determined to pursue her artistic ambitions, Rosamund ultimately seeks out Cousin Geoffrey in London, hoping that he can help her attend art school. However, the story takes a turn when she discovers troubling news about Geoffrey, leading her to inherit a valuable ruby ring from him. The narrative then shifts as Rosamund grapples with the implications of her newfound inheritance amid her family's struggles, setting the stage for her development and the challenges she will face in attaining her dreams. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Elizabeth Thomasina Meade Smith (1844–1914), writing under the pseudonym L. T. Meade, was a prolific writer of girls' stories. She was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, daughter of Rev. R. T. Meade, of Nohoval, County Cork. She later moved to London, where she married Alfred Toulmin Smith in September 1879.