"fine Regency romance"
In 1816 Samuel Firth, illegitimate son of Marquess George
Kenyon who spawned him on his mother, buys fifteen year
old Lady Cassandra to be a bride. He chose Cassandra
because she is the perfect blue blood to help him engineer
his vengeance against his sire, but he also selected her
because he was hooked when he saw her making angels in the
snow. Samuel pays off the enormous debts that Cassandra's
father accumulated. On their wedding night, Samuel expected a somewhat
reticent wife, but he found a frightened child with no
idea what to expect waiting in bed with him. Instead of
forcing himself on her, Samuel leaves. He travels the
globe for the next four years looking at his business
interests while waiting for his spouse to grow up. Samuel returns but Cassandra is now an intelligent
beautiful woman who has a circle of men paying their
respects to her though she is not a flirt. Samuel informs
her he will take his dividend soon, but instead they fall
in love. However, a secret admirer plans to do anything
to gain her hand including murder and abduction. THE WEDDING NIGHT is a fine Regency romance that showcases
the skills of Barbara Dawson Smith to use multiple
settings for her tales. The story line is fun to follow
as Samuel and Cassandra battle for "supremacy" in their
relationship, a skirmish that neither can win solo, but
both can triumph if they choose to win-win together.
Though the villainous subplot adds suspense and provides a
final impetus to bring the heroes in concert, it takes
away from a powerful love story between two obstinate
charmers. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted February 29, 2004
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