At 37, Julia enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, the only woman in a sea of serious (and mostly male) students. Unfazed by their disapproval, she chopped, sautéed, and stirred her way to mastery — laughing through every misstep. Isn't there something so inspiring about that?

The Regency era in England—an age of grand balls, elegantly dressed ladies, and dashing gentlemen. If you’ve been swept off your feet by...