Allegra

by Clare Darcy

At first Allegra Herrington thought she would accept the offer of marriage from her distant cousin, Sir Derek, who because of entail had inherited her father's estate and title. If she did, her vivacious younger sister Hillary would have a secure and happy life, for the girls had been left homeless and practically penniless. But Allegra's temper sometimes matched her red hair and, becoming convinced by gossip that this experienced and handsome diplomatcousin was proposing out of charity, which her pride could not let her accept, she refused him roundly.

Taking Hilary, she swept off to Brussels to teach in a school run by her ex-governess, even though, it being the spring of 1815, the continent is disturbed. Sir Derek, who had joined Wellington's staff, was exasperated by her independence, yet he saw to it that both girls entered the highest circles of English Society in the city. Suitors instantly pursued both, amid complications. But when, on the evening before Waterloo, the girls found themselves in unexpected danger, it was to Sir Derek they turned for rescue — which, of course, brought further complications.

Miss Darcy, as always, brings to life a charming, spirited heroine, an urbane Gentleman of the Ton to match her, and the glowing background of the period. The Library Journal said of her previous novel, Victoire, "An enchanting Regency novel which makes one rejoice in finding what could have been taken for a new Georgette Heyer."

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Born in Ohio.

Widely considered the best of those inspired by Georgette Heyer, Darcy wrote a number of regency romances with intelligent, sparkling heroines.

A pseudonym for Mary Deasy

Information for place of birth from the jacket of one of Ms Darcy's books

Reviews

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading it the first time I was more excited than this (second) time. I found it charming and enjoyable, but looking at my previous review - not as much as then.

Of course, it wasn't Heyer's novel, but I hold to my initial view, that Clare Darcy was one of the worthy successors of Heyer.

[I gave it 5 stars after the first read, now 4-4.5 stars]

----- The review after the first reading -----

As for now, it was the best of Clare Darcy I have read.

I don't understand why she seems to be little known, I mean amongst fans of witty Regency romances. For me, she and Joan Smith were the best (of course the very best was G. Heyer, but I need not to tell you that ;-) ). In Joan Smith's novels there are more historical facts (than in Darcy's), one can learn more about those times and also about human nature. Clare Darcy's novels are funnier than Smith's. But I couldn't decide which one I like more. They wrote a little different, each one on her own way.

Let's back to 'Allegra'.

--> It was very funny. There was this witty language I love the most, in dialogues and also in describing emotions. You know, like "she was angry at herself but she would prefer to be angry at him" (it isn't a quote) and so on. Darcy was very Heyer-ish in this case.

--> I liked very much the characters. I would like to meet them all (in real life), even those aunts ;-)

--> These banters between Allegra and Derek! Again, so Heyer-ish.

--> The story was on the known concept: she gets in trouble, he helps her, although they don't seem to like each other. There were plot twists, one mystery, suitors, misunderstandings - you got the idea ;-)

--> I liked that a younger sister was here sometimes the wiser than elder. I am elder sister myself and I would like to feel sometimes, how it is: not to be the wiser ;-)

--> I have known Brussels before Battle of Waterloo and the Battle from at least two other books. First of all, from a masterpiece An Infamous Army, where I found historical accuracy, whereas in Pemberley to Waterloo I found more emotional, dramatic vision. In 'Allegra' I wasn't much interest in this because I had known it pretty much. Nonetheless, I think she grasped the atmosphere.

So, I have a really good time.

[HR-ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance w/ a bit of intrigue was published in 1974.
It took place in England & Brussels. Had kisses only.

Sir Derek Herington was a wealthy baronet & diplomat.
And a distant relation of Allegra "Allie" Herington &
her 17 year old sister Hilary. When the baronet sire of
the sister's died, Sir Derek inherited their beloved home.
The sisters then sought housing via two aunts who shamed
them. Allie's godmother, dowager Lady Waring, provided
guidance. Lady W couldn't offer the sisters lodging b/c
she lived in the household of another.

Sir Derek proposed to Allie and she refused. She made
an assumption about him & didn't allow him to explain.
The sisters then went to Bussels where Allie worked as
a teacher @ a school run by her old governess.

Allie was 25 & concentrated on helping her sister find
a match. 4 men showed interest in exotic looking Allie.
A French baron, a colonel (who previously proposed),
a middle-aged widower w/ offspring. And Sir Derek.
Allie at times overreacted. She'd been engaged to a man
who died in the war.

The MCs at x's were too prickly, but their bantering and
little digs at each other were choice. The story ended after
the Battle of Waterloo (mentioned in 1 paragraph). The
MCs had genuine love for each other.

[Kenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite by this author so far although I really liked Elyza too. What probably helped is that it was longer versus the other short ones, and Allie was a relatable character. She had confidence and personality but not always, she felt more human than some of these other characters. And Sir Derek too, it was very reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice.

[_inbetween_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Re-read, because after Heyer's Bath Tangle I was wondering from where I had misremembered a long, humourous final scene where the real main couple are chasing elopers that hadn't really eloped. When I finished this, there was a bit of it, but not really what I remember, too short and not quite ...

Maybe it's all bloody memory and I'm destroying them one by one. Fact remains that Clare Darcy is the ONLY of the thousands of copy cats who actually immitates Heyer's style and feel, rather than just her plots, characters, ideas, dialogues, etc. The book is very short though, and I caught myself wondering when the hero had ever said or done anything to make Allegra think he's very smart. I remember enjoying this in the past, there being more scenes with them together than Heyer does (in retrospect), but Allegra isn't Serena, the very nice covers by Kausche-Kongsbak, who also did all my Heyer's, made her more so than she's written.

Darcy turned Serena's young step mother into Allegra's younger sister, and added the Brussels from that one about Devil's Cub's children, with a tiny fist-fight and a small humourous mention of the younger girl's nice betrothed, she really GOT Heyer and those touches are nice. But I fear the dozen novels of hers I now no longer can enjoy ... I'm forever looking for inventive, individualistic, lively, amusing and touching love and romance that I actively invented and now can't anymore? Never here, I fear.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allegra Harrington, spinster, age 29 has had it with living with her crotchety old aunt. The only other place for her is to join her younger sister Hilary as an unpaid servant in another aunt's household. Allie's godmother presents the perfect solution: marry Sir Derek Harrington, the cousin who has inherited Allegra's father's title and estate. Allegra remembers Derek as an arrogant boy but agrees to give him a chance, until local gossip turns her mind against him. Too proud to marry out of charity and still half in love with her late fiance, Allegra takes Hilary off to Brussels to a girls' school run by their former governess, Mlle. Jusseau. Mlle. Jusseau encourages the sisters to take part in the whirlwind of English Society. When the find themselves in a jam, they must turn to Sir Derek and ask for help. Allegra begrudgingly realizes that perhaps she made a grave mistake in refusing him. Now he's courting another woman who will take over Allie's beloved home. Once again the sisters find themselves in need of help and Sir Derek to the rescue.Allegra is convinced it is because Sir Derek shares their family name and refuses to allow a scandal to be attached, but young Hilary sees a different motivation for Sir Derek's kindness but her sister may be too proud to see it and they will be back to where they started. What ever shall they do?

This is a lighthearted take on Pride & Prejudice. There isn't a whole lot of substance to the story or even much of a romance. It reads a lot like a Georgette Heyer novel but not quite as well written. That being said, I liked Allegra and found her to be a realistic and engaging heroine. I especially liked her silly little sister even though I normally hate silly teenagers in this genre. The story is fun and I like Pride and Prejudice copy cats as long as the hero isn't too overbearing. Sir Derek is masterful at times but not too high-handed. He knows just how to deal with his cousins and does it well. I recommend this book for fans of the traditional Georgette Heyer style Regency. For those who are looking for a romance (Regency Historical) do not read this author.

[Lynn Spencer]

I'm sorry, Allegra, but you're just too much of a twit for me to handle.

I did enjoy this book at first for the author's somewhat arch tone, and the promise of a heroine who was not bland, perfect and saintly. However, Allegra's repeated social awkwardness came off more cringeworthy than endearing. I also found her reasoning way too TSTL for me to enjoy, and just could not get into the story very well at all. I could tell that the author was going for something similar in style to Georgette Heyer, but the sparkle just wasn't there for me, and I eventually gave up.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Regency romance in the mold of Heyer but with more heart and less obsession with proving its authenticity. Allegra and Derek, the leads, have a contentious relationship, to say the least. The book takes place in England and then in the high society of Belgium during the months after Napoleon returns from Elba just before Waterloo. The two leads fight everywhere and there's some mild political stuff in the middle. This is the kind of book where the main two's frequent rows are de facto flirting and where the female lead hides her feelings from herself and everyone else for as long as possible.

I really liked how Darcy wrote Allegra's psychology early on, though Allegra slips into shameless stupidity several times later. I like the idea of a female lead self-sabotaging because of pride and a sense of inferiority and the book captures this well at first. However, Derek is written with too few flaws by comparison, which makes her stupidity just seem more and more pronounced as the story progresses. He is basically perfect from the jump and all of Allegra's scruples with him are inventions or willful misunderstandings because of her pride rather than anything deficit in him. His only major flaw is how he broaches his intentions to marry her with A's godmother without consulting her, which in turn becomes gossip that stresses her out and sets the stage for her distaste for him. After this, they have an attraction built through fiery exchanges and Allegra's internal dishonest repudiations that show how he discombobulates her.

I did think they were right for each other but the conflict wasn't developed as well from the middle to the end. Every time Allegra has to make a decision in this story, she's either caught off guard or makes a stupid mistake. And I'm not just talking about her stubborn streak--every decision ends with her either consulting Derek begrudgingly or her turning 180-degrees from common sense. I liked her overall but she was introduced as a pretty reasonable character at the start only for her to show herself constantly as having no judgment or brains. I get that the plot needs for an impetuous heroine here, but I don't think foolish and spirited are synonymous.

Overall, pleasant book, with just some scruples about characters I liked for the most part. I enjoyed Darcy's writing, which I imagine to be divisive given her Austen-like long tortuous sentences and aping of a couple of Heyer's favorite stock phrases. The style works for me and I'll try another of hers.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.45 stars - pg13 (secular “clean” traditional regency – possible use of: mild cursing/profanity, innuendo, mention of mistresses, gambling, drinking, etc. -- see below)

First third of the story was dry and it was hard for me to thoroughly engage. But then I flew through the rest of it. The Hero was great. The heroine could be annoying (too prideful, immature, obstinate, a bit shrewish, gets “hot” and angers too easily and jumps to conclusions) but, overall, I ended up liking her. Loved all the secondary characters. I liked Colonel Hepworth (Hep), he made me laugh with the things he would say, plus he seemingly can’t keep from proposing to Allegra but then he’ll congratulate her the next day for having the wisdom to refuse him! There was also a little bit of a mystery and a mild villain. And a very poignant depiction of the evening when they find out Napoleon is invading their city, and all the chaos and confusion of soldiers leaving elegant galas and running for the front line, and people in disbelief that it’s really happening, and yet the music keeps playing in the ballroom and the young people, in all their finery, keep twirling on the dance floor, ”… it was as if the future had ceased to exist for them and there was only this moment, caught in time under a crystal dome of candle-glow and perfume and music and summer night”.

A few fun snippets:

”’If by ‘a conformable wife’ you mean yourself, Miss Herington [Arabella],’ said Sir Derek, acidly, ���let me assure you that you have strangely mistaken your own character!’” <-- Hah! Funny & true!

”’Look here, what’s the matter? You look like someone with a pain in his pudding-house.’” <-- Hah! Spoken by Colonel Hepworth!

”’Oh good! Because I like him a little for being so beautiful, but it would be much too wearing to have him about all the time looking romantic.’” <-- Hah! Spoken by Hilary, Allegra’s younger and wiser sister, about one of the prospective love interests.

(This was a typical secular “clean” regency. God’s name was used in vain and the expletive “damn” was also used, both a fair amount throughout the book. As far as I recall, there was no gambling, no drinking and no references to mistresses.)

[Diletta Nicastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Allegra' è il quarto di 14 romanzi scritti da Clare Darcy ambientati nel periodo della Reggenza.
Sebbene le trame della Heyer siano più complesse e mirabilmente orchestrate, in 'Allegra' si ritrova molto del sapore di libri come 'Il dandy della Reggenza' o 'L’incomparabile Barbara'.

Se devo muovere un appunto alla storia, direi che non amo molto i personaggi che si piccano per delle sciocchezze e che si comportano in maniera troppo permalosa. Il lui della storia viene visto troppo spesso come il nemico, anziché un alleato.
Personalmente preferisco storie d’amore in cui ci sia più intensità (i problemi possono essere dettati da situazioni esterne o da incapacità di esprimere i propri sentimenti) e meno baruffe verbali (i giochi lasciateli ai bambini. L’amore è altra cosa, a mio avviso).
Detto questo, mi è piaciuto ritrovare Bruxelles, la festa della Signora Richmond (resa immortale da 'Il falò della vanità' e ripresa dalla Heyer ne 'L’incomparabile Barbara'), il fuoco che avanza, la città che precipita nella paura. Qui Allegra e Hilary scappano da Bruxelles, quindi il dopo Waterloo si intuisce appena (il romanzo è più leggero dei sopracitati), ma è stato decisamente interessante, così come mi è piaciuto quel pizzico di giallo (che si comprende dopo una riga, ma pazienza!).

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable 'Regency romance' style historical novel by the only author who, in my mind, comes anywhere near to Georgette Heyer's brilliance. Allegra, the heroine, is feisty, outspoken and sometimes says things she later regrets. She's 25, and, with her younger sister Hilary, almost penniless after the death of their father, and the loss of their family home to their cousin Sir Derek.

The story takes them to Brussels and an educational establishment, where Allegra's duties as a teacher are often eclipsed by her need to chaperone her sister to balls. For even as Napoleon advances, and rumours are rife, the upper classes continue their socialising with lavish parties and other entertainments.

There's a lot of excitement in this well-paced story, and if some of the final chapter is inevitable from the start, there are other unexpected events along the way.

Recommended to anyone who likes this kind of historical romance novel.

Four and a half stars, really.

Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her temper gets the better of her, Allegra Herrington refuses her distant cousin's proposal and takes her young sister to Brussels. As she takes a position in a school, she hopes her sister can make good connections. Sir Derek arrives and Allegra quickly learns all is not as it seems.

There's just something about this author's works that I always enjoy. Yes, it is a 'light' version of Georgette Heyer's stellar works. Yes, the heroine is a twit who needs some sense shaken into her. And yes, the hero doesn't say or do anything to make his feelings clear until the end.

But I do enjoy these books. There is a quality to them, not to mention the clean nature of the writing. I love the plot, ridiculous though it is. The secondary cast is amusing. There is even a not so subtle "villian" in the book to make things interesting.

For a classic Regency romance, I would recommend this.

[Bree Lewandowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly sure why I didn't quite get into this book. Well, maybe I am but I'm having trouble putting it into words.
Let's see.
I needed more of the handsome, serious love interest with the broad chest coming in more to save our headstrong lovely main female character. I needed more of that "different light" in his eyes. What I got was a mudhole of bickering. And then there was the out-of-the-blue sideplot that I dare anyone to see coming that was really cool yet fell completely out of the sky. Actually, if the whole book had been the totally rando side plot at the end, it'd have been a better book. And the side-plot was very unexpected for a regency romance.
Did I like the relationship between the main character (Allegra) and her sister? Yes. Very much. They were a fun pair. Do I have another Darcy book planned next? Heck yeah.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in high school; my school library had it, and I was in my Jane-Austen-regency-England phase. And I recall really liking it--so when I came across it on kindle unlimited the other day, I thought--hey why not revisit it? See if I still like it, etc. These many years later, what can I say? It's clean, decently-written, historically-accurate. The plot isn't too bad...but the book overall is just...slow? And vague? And...something else I can't quite pinpoint. The heroine is inexplicably angry (a trope i *despise* yall. D E S P I S E.), and the hero (who had a lot of potential to be interesting, actually) isn't really developed beyond tall-handsome-rich. Maybe that's my overall feeling: this book had some potential but it didn't reach it at all.

[Lazy Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second time I read this book

What I loved at the first reading and would have given it 5 stars then, I can't recall. Allegra's constantly getting annoyed and starting arguments with Derrick over everything was off putting. Right to the very end she was bickering over everything he said or did. I really liked him as a hero. Was a really good guy. Everyone said so. So why the steady flow of anger at him when she had been shown to be wrong in all her dealings with him?? It got very boring.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I found this one very enjoyable except for one thing. The 2 lead characters were always angry at each other. Why would you act that way if you were in love, or why would you fall in love with someone who acted that way. It's OK at the beginning of the plot but they need to start enjoying each other's company at least halfway through. So that kind of spoiled it. But somehow it was still very enjoyable and compelling.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite mostly because the two main characters fight a lot but discover at the end despite all their fighting they actually love each other. It’s a common storyline but I’ve never really liked it much.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stubborn angry leading lady

I found Allegra not very likable especially to Derek who is the love interest. This couple really didn't have a relationship to build on it felt flat. Author wrote her sister Hillary and his cousin as more personable characters.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Take a large dose of Georgette Heyer and stir... what do you get? A very poor, dull copycat story with none of the wit for which GH is famed. A waste of my time!

[boudour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good fun! I love that Allegra has definite flaws that make her oh so sympathetic, and the misunderstanding all too understandable.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An expectedly delightful read.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a #badreadinghabit but this was wonderful. I love the style, a few complaints about content but... I squealed at the trope used in the end, I loved it

[Ummeyusuf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heroine had anger issues and fought with the hero, all the time.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, clean regency romance story that was a mixture of Georgette Heyer & Jane Austen.
Content:
Sexual: kissing only
Language: none

[Tobinsfavorite · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has spies!
This is a low 3-star. i don't actually recommend it, but if you're somewhere, snowed in, and you've read the other books, or they're all boring-looking, this won't offend you or dissolve your brain. Allegra herself seems pretty daft, but it all works out in the end. There's subplot, so that's a development. The writing style doesn't improve much over the three (of first published 5) novels I've read, but it's not tragically bad. The places it's the worst are pretty funny, actually:
"And she gave the two Misses Herington a glance full of so much venom, as if she had saved it all up from the days when she had had to conceal her true sentiments while listening to them hero-worshipping Lord Nelson, that Hilary at once felt relieved of all necessity to like her any longer."
In the words of Miss Darcy herself, that's idiotish.
And she uses the word "odious" way, way too much.
However, I really like "my enchanting pea-goose" as a term of endearment.

[Mandi Ellsworth]

Allegra and her younger sister are orphans with only onery relatives to live with. When a distant relative asks for Allegra's hand in marriage, and gives her a chance to regain her childhood home, she intends to say yes. Until he actually asks. After emphatically refusing him, Allegra takes her sister and runs away to Brussels to teach in a lady's college. Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, her former suitor is there as well.

This story had a lot of similarities to a Georgette Heyer novel, but it seems Ms. Darcy also borrowed heavily from Jane Austen. From that statement, it should be obvious that I loved this book. I loved the backdrop of Brussels at such a pivotal point in history (just before the battle of Waterloo). There were times when I wanted to shake Allegra because of her blind anger, but then it only added to the story.

This is great fun to read.

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ero quasi tentata dalle quattro stelle: C. D. segue qui da vicino la lezione della grande Georgette Heyer, con una storia brillante e sufficientemente originale. E se la capitolazione finale dell'eroe è un po' troppo precipitosa – ed è poco persuasiva la sua dichiarazione (quasi dantesca) di essere stato conquistato dall'amata avendola incontrata per breve tempo quand'era poco più che una bambina – pure l'autrice ha il grande pregio di non prendersi troppo sul serio e di trascinare il lettore sul bizzarro sentiero di una storia che, a guardarla troppo severamente, rivelerebbe di far acqua da tutte le parti.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough description of clothes or thieves' cant! I wonder if the author was trying to make her books more accessible by not using the "Regency" vocabulary or just trying to avoid being accused of ripping off Heyer? I also missed the vivid characterizations of the minor characters. Hilary does not come in to her own until the end....Much more could have been done with the governess...

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Recency romance. The author attempts more humor in this book.