"fine Georgian romance"
In 1763 Surrey, Genova Smith accompanies the two elderly
Trayce sisters as they journey to see their great nephew.
On the way, they meet a Mrs. Dash, whose wagon is in the
ditch. Mrs. Dash asks them to take her infant to her
husband at the nearby Lion and Unicorn Inn, which the
three female travelers do. When they arrive at the inn,
they find no Mr. Dash, but a gentleman asks the innkeeper
if Mrs. Dash is here. Genova talks to the man, who
deserts her with a kiss as he gives chase after Mrs. Dash
better known as Molly Crew, a liar who claims he
impregnated her. Before he leaves, the Marquess of Ashert learns that his
two great aunts are at the inn. He goes to see them
surprised they are here, but more shocked to see Genova
with them. As Ashert and Genova become acquainted, they
fall in love, but she thinks he sired the infant she is
watching while he thinks she works for the mendacious
Molly. This Georgian romance is a fun tale that sub-genre readers
will appreciate due to the strong cast. The lead couple
is a fine pair that the audience will enjoy. However, it
is the support characters who make the tale really work
whether they are charming or feuding relatives, or a slick
nasty soul willing to pull any trick to gain her desires.
Historical fans will take delight with this wonderful
novel. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted October 7, 2003
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The Marquess of Ashart has been raised to be enemy to his
cousin, the Marquess of Rothgar because the Dowager Lady
Ashart believes the Mallorens were responsible for the
untimely death of her youngest daughter, Rothgar's mother.
However, at Christmas 1763, events conspire to bring Ash
into his enemy's lair: in other words, to join a
Christmas house party at Rothgar Abbey.
Through no fault of her own, Genova Smith is in the precarious position of accompanying the Marquess of Ashart to a Malloren family reunion. Even more distressing, she and the infuriating rake have been caught in an unexpectedly passionate kiss, forcing her into the most dangerous situation of all: pretending to be betrothed to the one man capable of stealing her heart...
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