TEST
After a long series of mediocre reads, it is a treat to come across a book that gets it right.
Having been banished to her aunt in Cornwall after a youthful peccadillo, lady Sylvia has spent the last 10 years concentrating on her art. Nicholas Morley, Earl of Longueville, has returned to Cornwall after a decade in India, where he had been trying to escape the memories of his late wife. After a less than auspicious introduction, Nicholas feels strongly attracted to Sylvia, and lets her know it. But Sylvia has no intention of accepting a carte blanche from anyone. Instead, it is decided that she will paint his portrait. The growing ease between them during the course of the painting slowly begins to dispel the shadows. But the past is an integral part of the present as Sylvia and Nicholas come to realize that both their lives were touched by the same dark character who is still at large today. Some of Sylvia’s paintings have pivotal roles, especially one work in progress which gives her insights into the events 10 years ago.
Sylvia and Nicholas are adults, tempered by past experiences. There is some scarring, but they both try to rise above their murky pasts. While their communication isn’t always perfect, the things that set them at odds spring from within the story and do not feel like author-generated additions.
It is refreshing to have a heroine who isn’t a virgin. Moreover, Sylvia has positive memories of her deflowering, which was not done by Nicholas. Sylvia’s experiences increase the sexual tension, as well as making her less likely to fall for male blandishments. This twist spares the reader from the over-used plotline of teen lovers meeting years later to fall in love forever.
Does Nicholas qualify as a “tortured” hero? He didn’t to me, mainly because his past has not made him indiscriminately misogynistic. His attraction to Sylvia feels natural, just as does his deep sense of responsibility for his land and family. And I cannot help loving a hero whose first words to the heroine include calling her a, “red-headed apeleader of dubious breeding.”
The use of foreshadowing is very well developed. The reader knows well in advance who the villain is, in a manner reminiscent of horror movies. The dark events of the past add to this feel. As for secondary characters, Nicholas’ aunt is a pearl in all her cheerful humanity, while Sylvia’s aunt may seem a little too conspicuous for the Regency format.
There are a few minor problems to be mentioned for the sake of completeness. The otherwise excellent villain becomes increasingly predictable the closer the story moves to the final confrontation. Personally, I didn’t take to Sylvia’s artist’s intuition. It adds impetus to the story, but this paranormal twist doesn’t harmonize with the overall flavor.
The Lady in Gray is intelligent, reasonably adult, with likable characters. It will go into the stash under my bed, to be taken out in the face of a threatening reading slump.
Grade: A-
Book Type: Regency Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 01/02/99
Publication Date: 1999
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.