Lord Ramsay's Return

Ramsay family #2

by Elisabeth Fairchild

Resolving that no man would ever compromise her innocence again, Miss Prudence Stanhope is nevertheless unprepared for the advances of Lord Charles Ramsay, who has recently returned from India. Original.

Genres: Regency, Regency Romance, Traditional Regency, Historical, Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

About the author

Elisabeth Fairchild is half English and considers the British Isles her second home. With a degree in advertising from North Texas State University, Fairchild worked for ten years in advertising before turning to writing full-time.

Reviews

[Ilze · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. The heroine feels an almost overwhelming attraction for her cousin's husband, whom she lives with as an unpaid babysitter and governess, while the cousin herself is severely ill and has recently suffered a miscarriage. The cousin's husband, in the meantime, has noticed that the heroine is attracted to him, and being a weak male with a sick wife, decides she would be perfect as a mistress and propositions her. She sort-of refuses, but nevertheless can barely control herself when she's in the vicinity of this scumbag. Blecch! Completely off-putting. I also couldn't see how the heroine could fall out of love with the scumbag, recover from the horrible situation and fall in love with the hero, within the space of a week (and with less than half the length of this traditional-style Regency in the old Signet format remaining, because the heroine was still agonizing over her feelings for the scumbag at the point where I dropped the book).

[Katie Kofemug · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first experience of Ms. Fairchild's writing I was delightfully intrigued by the sample chapters and totally bowled over by all that followed. Overall, the story is solid, the pacing excellent, the dialog sumptuously suited to the characters, and atmosphere -- ooh it is luscious. Secondary characters are well drawn and essential to the tale without stealing the thunder or devolving to cut outs. Ms. Fairchild's writing involves all the senses, all of them, wow. Some readers might find this distracting if they are used to staccato descriptions and rapid fire dialog mingled with introspection all of which seems to have a specific formula based on current marketing trends that I, as a mere reader, have yet to figure out.

[I believe there must be an algebraic equation out there that defines these parameters and many a ragged writer sits at her word processor trying to make the story fit the factors until she decides - screw this, I'm gonna go scrub the toilet]

Lord Ramsay's Return has an engrossing narrative, internal thoughts that fully but not repetitiously explore conflict and show growth. There is angst slathered with good common sense, liberally basted with period appropriate stiff upper lip, plus there is more than enough humor to make you chuckle out loud. [Beware the fork of retribution!] There is a Big Misunderstanding near the end of the book but considering circumstances, I did not feel manipulated. The sensual tension is very well done without once referring to anyone's member or velvet sheath, or those words you see on bathroom walls. Also, I love that Ms. Fairchild used Brighton as the setting. The very name of the place is loverly and the history interesting. Based on her narrative, I was actually able to find all the locations she describes on an old map, now that is an author worth reading! Despite the meticulous attention to detail regarding the setting, this is a character driven novel. Those are my favorite.

As a caution, I think many readers that come upon this book with only the perspective of the last 10 years of historical romance will be as bewildered as Prudence was by Charles. So used to lust at first sight, all disagreements settled by a quickie in the carriage, the pull and tug of antagonism that masquerades as the opposites attract myth have dulled us to the subtleties of wooing, of learning to move from two to one flesh that, ironically enough, must involve more than the physical. This is the type of love I want for my daughters, for my sons, for everyone that yearns to be more than a cut out of societal expectations droning through the motions of life.

I had two quibbles. One was the improper use of title as last name. They would not be the Ramsay brothers if he was Lord Ramsay, it jarred me repeatedly. Two was the speed of the romance. I actually was on the second read through before I realized how quickly the romance developed.

I balance the quibbles and cautions with two things. One we were not tormented with an epilogue which makes me a happy reader. Two, Ms. Fairchild accomplished what only Jo Goodman has previously achieved, she had me re-reading the book in less than 24 hours because I just wasn't ready to let go....

You can read a non-spoiler, expanded review of this at Page Traveler E-Book Reviews

[Cruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Every encounter, good or bad, offers up opportunity for growth and understanding."

Plot:
As a governess in her cousin's household, Prudence does not have much of a life, nor much of a say in it. And when her cousin's husband starts making advances she does not know what to do. Perhaps a trip to Brighton will help clarify her duty?
When he returned from the East to find his family fortune gone Charles needed even more desperately to sell his wares and go back for more. But his reputation, and rank, precede him.
Neither are prepared for love. They aren't in a position to accept a HEA. They have a future to resolve and a past to accept before that can happen. But karma, kismet, or fate has other ideas.

Comments:
- Historical Romance (Brighton, 1818). Clean.
- 3459 kindle locations, 202 pages
- m/f - some "licentious longings" and sexy kisses but that's as far as they go.
- This is a re-print of a 1996 Signet book
Lord Ramsay's Return [Mass Market Paperback].
- Part of a series but could comfortably stand alone. Characters from other books play pivotal roles (eg Rue and Grace are major background characters).

Opinion:
In "The Love Knot" we learned of Aurora's brothers with their unfortunate nicknames - Rue, Rash, Rakehell. Charles, our Hero, is named Rash, in part because of his youthful behaviour, but also because, in a move to safeguard the family coffers, he took off to the Far East. Problem was he left their finances in Rakehell's hands, who gambled it all away. An intriguing set up for the series - four brothers (and a sister) who must find a way to play down their nicknames and reputations, find a way to finance their lives/lifestyles, and search for their own HEA.

Elisabeth Fairchild has a particular writing style. Sometimes it feels like she's trying too hard - too much description, the characters find life just a little too difficult - but overall I like it. She writes beautifully descriptive prose, making the reader feel like you are there, without it becoming a dry history lesson. In "Lord Ramsay's Return" we get beautiful descriptions of The Pavilion, of what The Assembly would have been like, even of the rockpools and "shampooing". They truly deliver the reader to another time, making the book worth reading just for that.

And then you have lovely lines like "the most romantic creature she had ever had the pleasure of despising", and you know you're going to enjoy it.

Once more Fairchild delivers a solid, romantic book with characters who *aren't* the typical Lords and Ladies of Regency ton, but a governess and a down-on-his-luck Lord turned merchant. They feel so real. Their (ultimately surmountable) problems are believable. You know that when they get their HEA they will treasure it, they will work at it every day, and they will create a life that is meaningful, with difficulties they can overcome, and realistic dreams the can achieve... together.

You just really want it to work.

Aside:
An error in the book listing on Amazon is never A Good Look. Someone who represents the book may wish to look into the title here...

"Ramsay Family" series
Book 1 The Love Knot - Miles Fletcher and Aurora Ramsay (+ Grace and Rue (Rupert)).
Book 2 Lord Ramsay's Return - Prudence and Rash (Charles)
Book 3 The Rakehell's Reform - Rakehell (Jack) and Selina
Book 4 Provocateur

-CR-

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this author and this book especially. The heroine, Prudence Stanhope, knows about Eastern culture and it's spiritual outlook on life regarding reincarnation, Kismet, Karma and so forth. The hero seeks to teach her the reality of these things instead of just what she has read in a book! It makes for quite an interesting read since both are penniless and face real dilemmas that some face even today.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Ramsay Family series. It was a satisfying romance with honorable characters.