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Lydia
Ten years ago, intending to catch ship at Portsmouth to the Americas, Lydia Burnleigh and Philip Millingham eloped. Fate-- and Philip's money-driven mother-- conspired against them, and Philip was brought home to wed the heiress Amanda Scarborough. No one knew what happened to Lydia. Rumor had it that she had died.
Now Edward Millingham, Philip's older brother, has discovered Lydia Burnleigh by accident; she has been in charge of his 8-year-old nephew Charles-- the son of the man with whom Lydia eloped a decade ago-- at a rectory school in Kent for the past 6 months. The Millinghams have entered Lydia's life again on the eve of losing her place in Kent, and she must seek a new position in order to support herself. On a whim, Millingham offers Lydia support in opening a boys' school in London, solving two problems at once: no longer will he need to worry about Charles' education, and he can direct the restitution of Lydia Burnleigh into society, which he feels is his responsibility.
Indeed, the whole world is changing: it is 1812, and besides an impending war with the newly independent American states, there is evil all around in London. The opium trade is prospering, and along with it, a reverse cargo: unattached young women and orphaned children. Caught up in a whirlwind of circumstance, Lydia Burnleigh and Edward Millingham must learn to decipher what they ought to feel and whom they ought to believe from the truth.
Now Edward Millingham, Philip's older brother, has discovered Lydia Burnleigh by accident; she has been in charge of his 8-year-old nephew Charles-- the son of the man with whom Lydia eloped a decade ago-- at a rectory school in Kent for the past 6 months. The Millinghams have entered Lydia's life again on the eve of losing her place in Kent, and she must seek a new position in order to support herself. On a whim, Millingham offers Lydia support in opening a boys' school in London, solving two problems at once: no longer will he need to worry about Charles' education, and he can direct the restitution of Lydia Burnleigh into society, which he feels is his responsibility.
Indeed, the whole world is changing: it is 1812, and besides an impending war with the newly independent American states, there is evil all around in London. The opium trade is prospering, and along with it, a reverse cargo: unattached young women and orphaned children. Caught up in a whirlwind of circumstance, Lydia Burnleigh and Edward Millingham must learn to decipher what they ought to feel and whom they ought to believe from the truth.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
A.S. Harrington
8 books3 followersA.S. Harrington, born in Texas, raised in West Africa, spent her childhood in a culture rich in the story-telling tradition. With a professional career that spanned everything from teaching piano to software engineering and owning and operating a helicopter charter service, her life experience has been great background for what she loves best: writing novels. Who knew that five years as a reference librarian would come in so handy!
In addition to historical fiction she has published as A.S. Harrington, she also writes modern romantic suspense as Sydney Harrington ("Ordinary Secrets" was published in 2017).
Harrington lives and writes in the Oakland Hills overlooking San Francisco Bay.
In addition to historical fiction she has published as A.S. Harrington, she also writes modern romantic suspense as Sydney Harrington ("Ordinary Secrets" was published in 2017).
Harrington lives and writes in the Oakland Hills overlooking San Francisco Bay.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 17, 2017
A charming, well-written, well-developed story of love between an unlikely couple. The little boy Charles reminded me of Felix Merrivale in Heyer's Frederica. Probably not a coincidence, given that this author clearly draws inspiration from Heyer. Would be four stars were it not for the unnecessary "adventure" tacked on at the end. Overall, though, quite enjoyable.
February 3, 2018
This is the third Regency romance by Harrington that I've read. She seems to be a relatively unknown recent author (most of her books were released on Amazon in 2014) but, IMO, deserves to be more popular than she is. Well, of course, she's in the wrong subcategory of romance, with her emphasis on great, intelligent writing, excellent dialogue, good research into the period, well-developed characters, and tasteful sexual attraction. She's like a Cate Charleston with more interesting characters, better dialogue, faster pace, and a bit more heat to the attraction between H and h.
In this story, 28-year-old heroine Lydia Burnleigh is a woman in disgrace and believed by many to be dead. Ten years ago she had eloped with upper-class Philip Millingham but before they could marry and escape the country, they were discovered and separated. Philip was convinced to marry another and Lydia became an outcast from society, disowned by her father, and she disappeared.
But Lydia had been rescued by a kindly couple and is now teaching at a small school for upper-class boys with behavior problems that kept them from success at more mainstream schools for sons in the peerage. This brings deceased Philip's son into Lydia's world when Philip's brother Edward, Lord Morrilton, as a last resort, brings his young orphaned nephew Charles to the school. And so it begins.
Unfortunately, circumstances lead to the closing of this school. But Edward, who has discovered that Lydia is the woman wronged by his brother and his mother, offers her the chance to open her own school for upper-class boys in London proper and she finally accepts. It's a win-win situation for Edward. He keeps his nephew with Lydia, who has been able to interact with Charles and the other boys to stimulate their learning and improve their behavior without excessive strictness and punishment, and he also sees this as a chance to atone for what happened to Lydia and to integrate her into society once again.
The story moves along swimmingly for many a page. I enjoyed the characters, the development of the relationship between Edward and Lydia, the charm of the interactions between young Charles and Lydia, and the development of love and a closer relationship between Edward and his nephew Charles. There's humor here, romantic warmth, insight into human flaws and foibles and more. There's even a secondary romance between an old friend of Lydia's and a marquess that was excellent. It was a delightful story.
Then IT happened. Not happy, apparently, with what I had perceived as the perfection of her story, Harrington decided it needed a bit more drama. She adds in some really bad people who do really bad things and has some of her good people do some really stupid, reckless things. That messed up the story for me, but all's well that begins and ends well, I guess. I decided to put out of my mind that section from about 78% to 93% and to rate this book on the lovely character-driven relationship story I had been enjoying before the author went wild. Perhaps I didn't get it completely out of my mind, because I think I might have given this book 5 stars if not for that.
In this story, 28-year-old heroine Lydia Burnleigh is a woman in disgrace and believed by many to be dead. Ten years ago she had eloped with upper-class Philip Millingham but before they could marry and escape the country, they were discovered and separated. Philip was convinced to marry another and Lydia became an outcast from society, disowned by her father, and she disappeared.
But Lydia had been rescued by a kindly couple and is now teaching at a small school for upper-class boys with behavior problems that kept them from success at more mainstream schools for sons in the peerage. This brings deceased Philip's son into Lydia's world when Philip's brother Edward, Lord Morrilton, as a last resort, brings his young orphaned nephew Charles to the school. And so it begins.
Unfortunately, circumstances lead to the closing of this school. But Edward, who has discovered that Lydia is the woman wronged by his brother and his mother, offers her the chance to open her own school for upper-class boys in London proper and she finally accepts. It's a win-win situation for Edward. He keeps his nephew with Lydia, who has been able to interact with Charles and the other boys to stimulate their learning and improve their behavior without excessive strictness and punishment, and he also sees this as a chance to atone for what happened to Lydia and to integrate her into society once again.
The story moves along swimmingly for many a page. I enjoyed the characters, the development of the relationship between Edward and Lydia, the charm of the interactions between young Charles and Lydia, and the development of love and a closer relationship between Edward and his nephew Charles. There's humor here, romantic warmth, insight into human flaws and foibles and more. There's even a secondary romance between an old friend of Lydia's and a marquess that was excellent. It was a delightful story.
Then IT happened. Not happy, apparently, with what I had perceived as the perfection of her story, Harrington decided it needed a bit more drama. She adds in some really bad people who do really bad things and has some of her good people do some really stupid, reckless things. That messed up the story for me, but all's well that begins and ends well, I guess. I decided to put out of my mind that section from about 78% to 93% and to rate this book on the lovely character-driven relationship story I had been enjoying before the author went wild. Perhaps I didn't get it completely out of my mind, because I think I might have given this book 5 stars if not for that.
February 3, 2018
Easy Read
New author for me and I really like her writing style. Lydia and Twilla had a Lucy and Ethel moment towards the end of the book but don't worry Desi and Fred saved them. Also towards the last two weeks of the book there seemed to be a sudden lack of communication between the happy couple. I could see why Lydia was confused about his intentions. She lived around the corner for heaven sake. Stop by for a second. Drop off a note. It was a pleasant read and clean as a whistle if that's your hot button.
New author for me and I really like her writing style. Lydia and Twilla had a Lucy and Ethel moment towards the end of the book but don't worry Desi and Fred saved them. Also towards the last two weeks of the book there seemed to be a sudden lack of communication between the happy couple. I could see why Lydia was confused about his intentions. She lived around the corner for heaven sake. Stop by for a second. Drop off a note. It was a pleasant read and clean as a whistle if that's your hot button.
May 15, 2017
Well written regency. Didn't think the plot twist at the end was needed, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the book.
May 13, 2017
Does it again
An original story with interesting characters. I find it intriguing that her male heroes have such patience and a long view of events. It's a very different perspective than the usual impetuous, impulsive heroes one often reads.
This is the second novel of this author's I have read and I most certainly will be reading as many as are produced.
Just an aside...My Mother said a girl was always more interesting if she left a bit to the imagination. This particular author has this principle down to an art form. While the book could be classified as "clean", it is a lovely, tantalizing clean.
An original story with interesting characters. I find it intriguing that her male heroes have such patience and a long view of events. It's a very different perspective than the usual impetuous, impulsive heroes one often reads.
This is the second novel of this author's I have read and I most certainly will be reading as many as are produced.
Just an aside...My Mother said a girl was always more interesting if she left a bit to the imagination. This particular author has this principle down to an art form. While the book could be classified as "clean", it is a lovely, tantalizing clean.
April 26, 2018
Very nice, loved it
Characters written so well, good story was engaged throughout. Disappointing author put kidnapping and abduction nearer the end, wasn't needed.
Characters written so well, good story was engaged throughout. Disappointing author put kidnapping and abduction nearer the end, wasn't needed.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews