The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Aiken is a richly descriptive tale of two young cousins, Bonnie and Silvia. Silvia comes to live at Willoughby Chase as a companion for her cousin Bonnie. Shortly after her arrival, Sir Willoughby and his wife leave for a sea voyage taken in an attempt to improve the health of the latter. Bonnie and Silvia are left in the care of a cousin, Mrs. Slighcarp, who has been hired to act as their governess and to manage the affairs of Sir Willoughby until his return. Scarcely have the lord and lady left when the wicked intentions of the governess are revealed. She dawns the lady's fine dresses, fires all the trustworthy servants, and begins to sell off all the possessions of the house. Bonnie and Silvia try to send a message to a nearby doctor for assistance, but the note is intercepted. Mrs. Slighcarp immediately moves the girls to a work house run by one of her friends. With the help of Bonnie's friend Simon, the girls are able to escape and slowly make their way to London where Silvia's elderly aunt lives. Once in London, they enlist the aid of a friendly doctor in the building to care for Aunt Jane, to help them in capturing Mrs. Slighcarp's accomplice, Mr. Grimshaw, and to bring in the police and Sir Willoughby's lawyer for assistance in dealing with the misdeeds of the scheming pair. Upon return to Willoughby Chase, they find the home turned into a school. Mrs. Slighcarp and her workhouse friend are apprehended, and Sir Willoughby and his now healthy wife return home at the same moment.
I would recommend the story for ages 8 and up. I did it as a read aloud for my older boy, and he seemed to enjoy it (despite the fact that the main characters were girls).
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