An American Beauty A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Wo

In "An American Beauty," set in 1867 Richmond, Virginia, Arabella stands out among the girls at Worsham’s gambling parlor with her beauty and determination to rise above her background of struggle and poverty. Drawn to her, railroad baron Collis Huntington becomes her lover, despite being married and thirty years her senior.

With Collis's support, Arabella moves to New York, where she poses as a genteel Southern widow and begins amassing a fortune through shrewd investments. Their affair becomes public knowledge, leading to Collis marrying Arabella after his wife's death. However, Arabella must navigate the strict rules of elite society, including the influential "Four Hundred," who expect impeccable behavior from her.

As Arabella strives to establish herself in Society, she faces threats of blackmail and an unexpected romance that challenges her ambitions and loyalties. "An American Beauty" vividly portrays the glitter and drama of the Gilded Age, showcasing the remarkable journey of a woman who defied convention to carve her own path to success.