Sea Urchin
By Adelaide Q. Roby
It is the turn of the eighteenth century. A boat is wrecked on the Cornish shore, and an orphaned baby is rescued by local fisherman, John Prother. The Prothers decide to adopt the orphan, and name him James. But as James grows up he weaves fantasies of his own heritage, convinced that he is destined for something greater than the poor, provincial Cornish village he has been raised.
When James is introduced to Arabella Lamprey, the young mistress of Shawcross Hall, he becomes captivated by her but his fragile position in society threatens to be destroyed by the rumours concerning his parentage. As James becomes ever more grasping, will he destroy everything he ever cared about? Will Arabella prove too strong willed even for him? Or will this Sea Urchin learn to find peace?