"Wonderful Regency Romp!"
Once again, Captain Daragh Blackstone disobeyed his
superior's orders. This time, he won't get in trouble for
it because he saved quite a few lives. However, his
disobedience may have cost him his own life. He wasn't
quite as lucky as normal and he ended up with quite a
wound. He's just glad he didn't lose his whole arm.
Refusing to stay in the "wounded tent", he demands to be
taken to his own. There, he will be under the care of his
batman, Jeremy Hoskin, whose life Daragh saved when Jeremy
was falsely accused. Once Daragh stays awake long enough
to make some decisions, he decides to cash out of the Army
and go home, where he has a woman waiting for him. Not
just any woman, but the most beautiful Helen and she has
promised to become his wife. There's nothing for it but
Daragh wants to get to London as soon as possible and away
they go. Meanwhile, in London, Priscilla "Cilla" Coulter, is in
charge of a very difficult patient, Lady Dunley. With her
father being a doctor, it's become second nature for Cilla
to act as his nurse, even though she won't accept any
money for her work. As the niece of a very wealthy and
prominent peer, Cilla could be in the middle of the Ton,
however, this lifestyle really doesn't appeal to her. When
she lost her fiancée after he went to fight Napoleon,
Cilla really isn't in the market for anyone to replace
him. Finally managing to get Lady Dunley settled down,
Cilla hears a loud commotion downstairs by the front door. Needless to say, two such strong personalities clash.
Cilla ends up waiting until Daragh passes out before she
can treat his wound. However, Daragh has no intention of
remaining in London when Helen isn't in the area. The only
thought on Daragh's mind is getting to the country estate
and marrying Helen. Eventually, he ends up making a deal
with Cilla in order to accompany him and his mother back
to their home. He will allow Cilla to treat his wound if
she will go with them. Cilla reluctantly agrees. Will Daragh finally be able to marry the beautiful Helen?
What of Cilla? Why is Helen trying to get her to leave so
badly? AN UNACCEPTABLE DEMISE is a wonderful Regency Romp.
Patricia Harrison has once again given us a delightful
Regency story filled with all the expected things, the
beautiful clothing, the huge manors, and of course, love.
And, in this one, we have a death under mysterious
circumstances. The hero and the heroine compliment each
other wonderfully being two strong-willed honor bound
people. And then we add to mix Lady Dunley, frivolous and
self-indulgent. Not to mention Daragh's brother, now
currently holding the title. A very self-righteous man.
And then the beautiful Helen. Is she really as sweet as
she appears? I was pulled into the story from the very
first page and the action continued nonstop throughout. If
you enjoy Regencies as much as I do, you don't want to
miss any of Patricia Harrison's works! This one neither.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted January 12, 2007
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Severely wounded, his valiant army career ended, Capt. Daragh Blackstone returns home to begin a new life with his lovely betrothed, Helen. He is also determined to resolve his suspicions of his father's untimely demise. Although exhausted and in pain, he refuses the help of Cilla Coulter, a doctor's daughter who is supervising the care of Daragh's flighty and temperamental mother. He dismisses Cilla as a prying, ineffectual lady's companion. She considers Captain Blackstone as too proud and stubborn for his own good, and who uses his considerable charm to get his own way. For reasons of her own, she feels bound by duty to save him from infection and death. When Daragh discovers the cause of her dedication, his distrust turns to respect--and something more.
But what of Helen and his given word, which has never been broken?
At Shawnton Abbey, Cilla is caught between duty, an offer of the secure love she craves, and her own heart.
Shawnton Abbey holds many secrets. Has murder been done? If so, will the murderer strike again, and who will be the next victim?
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