"A wonderful romance"
In 1799 London, William Manderville an Earl concludes
that the actresses he uses to cover his government work on
the French coast are failures. He needs someone different
and thinks he found his answer in the drawing done by a
Duchess of an orange seller commoner. When William finds
the orange seller Harriet Treene he shows her the picture
saying his friend will pay her if she poses as a model. At the family pie shop, Harriet notices her older
sister Bett looks tired from work, raising an infant, and
being pregnant. Harriet decides to accept the Duchess'
offer to paint her for a fee. Harriet visits the Duchess
but William arrives and offers her a deal. He will finance
a tea shop for her in exchange for her posing as his
mistress on his messenger trips to France. As they act out
the masquerade neither expected love or the danger that
awaits them in France from an individual seeking revenge. THE VERY COMELY COUNTESS, the sequel to the DARING
DUCHESS, is an exciting tale due to the espionage subplot
and a glimpse at the working class, but especially because
of the love story between a commoner and a noble. Though
this book uses the same plot device as its predecessor and
lacks the locale creativeness of the first book, fans will
enjoy the tale because the lead characters are a delightful
daring duo who deserve a lifetime together. Regency
romantic suspense fans will gain much pleasure from award
winning Miranda Jarrett's wonderful tale. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 14, 2001
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