"The author at her very best"
In 1823 at 7 Mayfair Street in London, Latimer More
knows he has found his love of a lifetime in Jenny
McBride. However, the poverty stricken Scottish lass
cannot believe he even remotely cares about her. Like his
family and the other tenants, Jenny finds it impossible to
believe that someone as successful in business and with
women like Latimer could love a pathetic orphan like Jenny. Jenny has other problems to deal with besides an
alleged mooning suitor. She owes rent and her landlord
wants her to barter sex as payment. She refuses his
offers, but Mr. Bucket is not a man that easily accepts any
denial of his pleasures. Can Jenny turn to Latimer or is
he faking affection to get into her boudoir? THE ORPHAN is a fun regency romance that follows the
story of two middle class types. Latimer is a heroic
individual, but THE ORPHAN belongs to the title character
Jenny. Her struggles with Bucket while debating whether
Latimer is her savior or a leap from the frying pan into
the fire make the tale. The return of the Shakespearean-
spouting ghost adds humor as Stella Cameron provides a
fresh look at the era with an engaging yet simplistic tale. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted February 19, 2002
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Latimer More, lodger at 7A Mayfair Square and widely known
as "the most daring lover in England," has finally found
the woman of his dreams--Jenny McBride. But what startles
everyone--Latimer's fellow tenants, his family and even
Jenny--is what an educated man of business sees in a poor,
orphaned milliner's assistant. However, Latimer has looked
past the surface--past the demure protestations and patched
clothing--and seen the fiercely independent and generous
soul within the auburn-haired Scottish lass.
Latimer may be sure of his intentions, but Jenny has her
doubts. Can she trust a man with the sort of reputation
Latimer has with the fairer sex? Surely he is only toying
with her and intends to toss her aside after he has tired
of her? Moreover, even if Latimer is serious and Jenny
were to accept his marriage offer, it would mean revealing
the hold that the vile Morely Bucket has upon her. The odious slumlord, Bucket, presses Jenny, behind on her
rent, to offer up sexual favors in exchange for canceling
her debts. Jenny has resisted so far, but Bucket has
become more and more forcibly persistent as time has
passed. Jenny believes that if Latimer were to find out
that she was involved in such sordid goings-on that his
interest in her would quickly vanish. But Jenny doesn't
know Latimer More well enough. He does find out, and it
only intensifies his resolve to free the valiant waif from
the clutches of the archfiend Bucket--but not before
enlisting the aid of everyone at 7 Mayfair Square. Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian
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