"Strong historical intrigue"
In 1802 Verity Collier accepts a position as governess to
seven-year-old twins Meliora and Bastian though she has no
previous experience with this work. Because the position
is in remote Cornwall, the father Lord Jago Ransleigh, has
no other takers. For Verity, the position enables her to
escape working at a suffocating school. On the trek to St. Aubyn, highwayman Black Jack Raven holds
up the carriage containing Verity. She courageously
persuades him not to take a family locket from her, but he
imitates Sheridan by stealing a locket of her hair. At the
manor, Verity finds she likes the reticent children still
struggling with the death of their mother in an accident
two years ago. When she meets the Earl, who is always away
from the estate on War Office business, she thinks he is
also Black Jack. Trying to learn the truth places her in
danger of the body and the heart as she quickly falls in
love with her employer. This delightful Regency romantic suspense borrows heavily
from the gothic crowd. Verity lives up to her name, but is
also brave (no Rape of the Lock will stop her) and serves
as the right role model for two lost little children.
Readers will feel for the twins, but especially Bastian
(try getting more than a nod out of him). Jago is the
classic gothic hero who cannot believe the woman he is
falling in love with would foolishly waltz into danger.
Rebecca Brandewyne shows why she is so highly regarded with
this strong historical intrigue. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 10, 2003
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