"A bit different Regency tale!"
After everyone found out, including Lady Lydia Wexin
herself, that her departed husband was a murderer, the
reporters just wouldn't leave her alone. Coming home from
an errand, a particularly disagreeable reporter just won't
give up, even going so far as to grab Lydia's arm. At this
point, a gentleman comes by and assists Lydia, ensuring the
reporter, a Mr. Samuel Reed, goes away and leaves Lydia. Lydia is very thankful but when she tries to walk away,
finds she can't as she hurt her ankle. The gentleman,
Adrian Pomroy, seeing Lydia's distress, picks her up and
carries her to her room and proceeds to wrap her ankle. As
he does, he notices there are no servants about, nor are
there any flowers and the fire isn't lit in her room. With Adrian's kindness, Lydia realizes just how much she's
been missing human kindness, not to mention the physical
side of her marriage. One thing leads to another, and Lydia
winds up pregnant. Adrian has been bored for a long time. He's tired of the
gambling, drinking and loose women. What he would really
like is if his father would only release one of the estates
to his son to give Adrian something useful to do.
Unfortunately, this doesn't happen, so Adrian decides to
help Lydia. At least with her finances. Of course, he does
this anonymously. Now the reporters are really hounding Lydia trying to find
out who could be the father of her child. Not to mention,
if she doesn't deliver—a boy, of course—the estate will
pass on to a relative. Who fathered Lydia's baby? What will happen if Lydia
doesn't deliver by the deadline? Will Adrian ever find
something useful to do? Will Lydia find out he's the one
who saved her financially? Will she allow Adrian in her
life? SCANDALISING THE TON is a wonderful Regency story. Diane
Gaston tells a story a bit different for a Regency, with
the addition of the pregnancy. I felt so sorry for Lydia
with the way the press was hounding her, even though she
had done nothing wrong. Not to mention how she is given the
cut direct by the ton because of her husband's actions. Of
course, her own stubbornness doesn't help the situation
with Lydia refusing to see Adrian every time he tries. But
hat's off to Adrian for not giving up on Lydia and
continuing to pursue her. All in all, a very enjoyable
Regency story, complete with the heartfelt sigh at the end.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted February 4, 2009
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