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Elyza
Pretty, impulsive Elyza Leigh introduces Cleve Redmayne to his heart's desire, Corinna Mayfield, and becomes herself a center of admiration at Brighton, the perpetrator of an indiscretion, and the subject of blackmail, a duel, and kidnapping
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
84 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Clare Darcy
28 books57 followersBorn 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 10, 2016
Miss Elyza Leigh, aka Mr. Smith, was on the run. She had been expected to accept a proposal from a boring nuisance with nothing in common. She refused to marry the man. When no one was looking, she changed her appearance and ran away. Unfortunately, she was robbed of her monies when she met Mr. Cleve Redmond. *Until now, I had always thought the name Cleve (or was it Clive?) was synonymous with a butler.*
The kind and handsome Mr. Redmond saw through Elyza's ruse as 'Mr. Smith' and offered her a ride to her destination. Both of their intentions were meant for the best.
Elyza was so innocently likable. Redmond was on the drier side but fascinatingly interesting; I wanted to know more of his past. The secondary characters, and there were bookoodles (a southern adjective meaning a large amount of something) of them, kept slipping off the pages. Among others: Quigg, Ram, Mr. Crawfurd, Miss Mayfield, Mr. Everet, Mrs. Winlock, Sir Edward Mottram, Miss Piercebridge and Lord Belfort.
Elyza was constantly busy and, at the same time, falling in love. She had a sunny outlook on life that spilled over to others. Her POV drove the romance. For the most part, Redmayne had blinders on for one woman until he saw what was right in front of him all along.
I am still of the opinion that Ms. Darcy was competing for 'Queen of the Run-On Sentence'. In chapter two, she goes for broke with a 93-word sentence/paragraph. Except this time around, I enjoyed what she was saying. It made sense. Like Betty Neels, Emily Loring and Barbara Cartland, Ms. Darcy has a definitive style of writing.
The kind and handsome Mr. Redmond saw through Elyza's ruse as 'Mr. Smith' and offered her a ride to her destination. Both of their intentions were meant for the best.
Elyza was so innocently likable. Redmond was on the drier side but fascinatingly interesting; I wanted to know more of his past. The secondary characters, and there were bookoodles (a southern adjective meaning a large amount of something) of them, kept slipping off the pages. Among others: Quigg, Ram, Mr. Crawfurd, Miss Mayfield, Mr. Everet, Mrs. Winlock, Sir Edward Mottram, Miss Piercebridge and Lord Belfort.
Elyza was constantly busy and, at the same time, falling in love. She had a sunny outlook on life that spilled over to others. Her POV drove the romance. For the most part, Redmayne had blinders on for one woman until he saw what was right in front of him all along.
I am still of the opinion that Ms. Darcy was competing for 'Queen of the Run-On Sentence'. In chapter two, she goes for broke with a 93-word sentence/paragraph. Except this time around, I enjoyed what she was saying. It made sense. Like Betty Neels, Emily Loring and Barbara Cartland, Ms. Darcy has a definitive style of writing.
November 14, 2013
Elyza Leigh flees her scheming chaperone and an unwanted marriage in London and heads off to her great-aunt in Bath dressed in the hall boy's best clothes. When her purse goes missing and an angry inn-keeper about to open her bundle, rescue comes in the form of a handsome young man. Cleve Redmayne pays her bill without batting an eyelash and takes the young Elyza, whom she thinks he believes is a boy, under his wing. Alas, Redmayne is perceptive and hits upon Elyza's secret. He promises to help her anyway and when he discovers she knows the woman he dreams of marrying, he encourages Elyza to return to London and then follow the ton to Brighton. Redmayne, fresh from India with a fortune in his pocket, a superb manservant and an Indian bodyguard, has returned to claim the hand of Corinna Mayfield, Society's reigning beauty, though he has never actually been introduced to her. Corinna has any number of suitors, including Elyza's crush and a penniless Marquis. Elyza is not lacking in the suitor department either, which enrages her potential husband Sir Edward, whose Mama wishes him to marry Elyza's fortune. Before the Season ends, Elyza will gain courage and understanding of her own heart but will she ever be truly happy if the man she loves loves another?
This novel is a pale imitation of Georgette Heyer novels. The characters are less memorable though they are still interesting. I liked Elyza, for all her youth and naivety. She grows up a lot and she really understands what love is. Cleve is a mysterious hero. The story isn't told from his point-of-view and all we really know about him is bits of gossip and the parts he wishes known about himself. He's a sporting hero type, unassuming but able to hold his own, which I really like. There's so much going on in this story that the romance gets rather overshadowed as a consequence. There are many funny moments in the plot, especially involving Sir Edward's marriage proposal attempts as well as Mr. Crawfurd, a young bachelor and the indomitable Quigg. I enjoyed the story for a bit of diversion. If you love Georgette Heyer, this book is a good second choice. It's a cut above the paperback Signet and Zebra Regencies and far above the scandalous Regency Historicals.
August 7, 2022
I enjoyed it more the second time. Perhaps because I now appreciated more historical accuracy (for the last eight years I have read many Regency romances and seen various absurdities).
Yet, I would have liked to be convinced better about Redmayne's change of feelings. His past could have been better used too. I also have some reservations about a thing or two, but it was still far better than most of the genre.
Elyza was a classical rush, loyal, and prone to get in trouble heroine. And Mr. Crawfurd was a perfect addition to add joy and fun to the story.
Like QNPoohBear wrote If you love Georgette Heyer, this book is a good second choice.
[3.5-4 stars]
Yet, I would have liked to be convinced better about Redmayne's change of feelings. His past could have been better used too. I also have some reservations about a thing or two, but it was still far better than most of the genre.
Elyza was a classical rush, loyal, and prone to get in trouble heroine. And Mr. Crawfurd was a perfect addition to add joy and fun to the story.
Like QNPoohBear wrote If you love Georgette Heyer, this book is a good second choice.
[3.5-4 stars]
October 25, 2018
Definitely my favourite Clare Darcy book so far.
I really loved Elyza with her fierce loyalty to Cleve Redmayne, the way she would jump into situations to try to preserve his happiness - even at the cost of her own - and without thought for her reputation as she tries to spare his social embarrassment.
Unusually for Clare Darcy, Redmayne's feelings are a lot more evident than with her usual heroes, which I liked. The happy ending made me smile and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story.
It was fun, daft and implausible, in the fine tradition of a Heyer romp rather than through bad research and historical inaccuracies.
Good stuff. Will enjoy re-reading this one in future.
I really loved Elyza with her fierce loyalty to Cleve Redmayne, the way she would jump into situations to try to preserve his happiness - even at the cost of her own - and without thought for her reputation as she tries to spare his social embarrassment.
Unusually for Clare Darcy, Redmayne's feelings are a lot more evident than with her usual heroes, which I liked. The happy ending made me smile and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story.
It was fun, daft and implausible, in the fine tradition of a Heyer romp rather than through bad research and historical inaccuracies.
Good stuff. Will enjoy re-reading this one in future.
January 22, 2014
After LETTY, this is probably Clare Darcy's best traditional Regency. Elyza is a lot more adventurous than most Darcy heroines. She actually dresses up as a boy and travels in disguise till the hero rescues her from some ruffians!
October 16, 2017
too much background noise from the start. couldn’t finish. while the characters were likeable, the plot dragged too much.
July 13, 2015
I had to go online to buy this out-of-print Clare Darcy book. I'm on a regency period binge read. When I looked up Georgette Heyer on my local library site they had various authors that were listed as similar. After looking into a few of the recommendations I decided to read Clare Darcy.
This book is just as good as Heyer's! There was a girl donning the dress of a man, a duel, boxing, a curricle race, and of course the romance was lovely. I definitely recommend.
This book is just as good as Heyer's! There was a girl donning the dress of a man, a duel, boxing, a curricle race, and of course the romance was lovely. I definitely recommend.
July 26, 2018
Second time reading this and enjoyed it even more than the first. Fast and fun Regency novel that has all the tropes that I love.
April 6, 2019
Some good, light-hearted fun, a plucky heroine and a ~mysterious hero. Very cute.
March 17, 2020
This was one of Aunt Mary's books, so don't judge me for reading it. (haha) It's a "Regency Romance" along the lines of Georgette Heyer or Barbara Cartland, so it was fun in a predictable, ridiculous way. Still, I actually laughed out loud at the antics along the way and it was FULL of action - there was a runaway, a thwarted ridiculous suitor, a chariot race, a duel, a kidnapping, and a big fight with two sets of couples finally getting together. All in all it is exactly what you want and expect when you read a Regency Romance, so I was happy with it. I wish Aunt Mary was still here to laugh at it with me.
July 31, 2022
I was pleasant surprised. There were annoying typos in this ebook copy, but nothing that truly hindered the reading. I did groan at a few things like, 'Money is power' theme and the comparison to Beau Brummel instead of actually describing what someone looked like. And I hate love triangles, and thought the female mc was going to be annoying. But this was amusing, well done, and I'd read it again.
April 16, 2021
I loved this cute, quick, and clean Regency romance. It was my first Clare Darcy book, and I’m off to find more by her. Recommend.
August 21, 2024
I found an old copy of this at the library book sale this spring. It reminded me very much of a Georgette Heyer novel and was very relaxing to read.
September 19, 2021
Another light reading Regency Romance from Clare Darcy. I really enjoyed reading this one again - it's a fun one. Elyza is running away from an unwanted marriage being pressed on her by a woman her absent father hired to "see her off", who is determined to marry her to SOMEONE, just to get her money. She is disguised as a boy, but when her purse is stolen and she can't pay for the inn, Mr. Redmayne steps in and rescues her. Recently arrived from India, he is obviously VERY wealthy, with a string of carriages carrying all his luggage and servants, and well used to buying anything he wishes. He soon figures out that she is a girl, of course. He offers to take her home again, telling her that no one can make her marry someone she doesn't wish to. On the way they stop at a fair, where they pick up a young man, Nicholas, who joins them after being knocked out by a prizefighter. When Redmayne finds that she and her duenna are soon to go to Brighton, where he is also bound, he asks her to introduce him to the beautiful Corinna, with whom he has fancied himself in love after seeing her once two years ago. Corinna, being the beauty of the season, has a string of admirers already. The goings-on in Brighton land Elyza in a couple of near-scandals, and jealous people begin circulating negative stories about Redmayne. She becomes his champion, feeling that she must help to to get Corinna, even though the idea leaves her strangely unhappy. Eventually Corinna is abducted by the nefarious Lord Belfort, Elyza forces Nicholas to go with her to rescue Corinna. Redmayne and Jack Evert, who is also in love with Corinna, but who has been paying attentions to Elyza in order to make Corinna jealous, team up to go after the rescuing pair. As usual, all ends happily.
September 2021 Rereading
September 2021 Rereading
May 27, 2016
I should just accept that there is no one like The Incomparable. This book certainly isn't, but it is charming and fun, more similar to books written by Marion Chesney, maybe. The MC was a good character, young and a bit impulsive but not silly. The introduction of the hero was somewhat like one of The Incomparable's: the girl, disguised as a boy in an Inn, is trying to tell the owner that "he" was robbed, when the hero comes in and,n a "bored voice" asked what was the trouble. Of course he immediately takes care of the situation, after one look at the heroine (he recognizes "he" is really a "she" at first glimpse). And then there is Mr. Crawfurd, a young, nice fellow who befriends both characters instantly. He reminded me a bit of dear old Freddie from Cotillion, with that big heart.
There were a lot of situations that I love reading in a Regency romance: duels, balls, cross-dressing, love tangles. Which makes me wonder, why didn't I like this more than I did?? There were times where I was scan-reading the descriptions, there were times where I was reading the same paragraph over and over again... Everyday I could read up to 2 chapters only, I wonder why! Certainly one of the minuses was the lack of chemistry between Eliza and Mr. Redmayne. Not only he was in love with another girl for about 90% of the story, but he was pining after her, which is something that GH's heroes never do. And once he realizes that it was not love at all, and that the only one for him was Elyza I was actually rooting for dear Mr. Crawfurd. Oh well... On the plus side, it was clean and fun and really light.
There were a lot of situations that I love reading in a Regency romance: duels, balls, cross-dressing, love tangles. Which makes me wonder, why didn't I like this more than I did?? There were times where I was scan-reading the descriptions, there were times where I was reading the same paragraph over and over again... Everyday I could read up to 2 chapters only, I wonder why! Certainly one of the minuses was the lack of chemistry between Eliza and Mr. Redmayne. Not only he was in love with another girl for about 90% of the story, but he was pining after her, which is something that GH's heroes never do. And once he realizes that it was not love at all, and that the only one for him was Elyza I was actually rooting for dear Mr. Crawfurd. Oh well... On the plus side, it was clean and fun and really light.
June 10, 2023
Wish it was longer! Certain things I feel like could have been expounded on but I really enjoyed it, and appreciated the fast pace!
Heroine reminded me a bit of Kitten from Friday’s Child, and the plot was reminiscent of a Heyer novel I can’t quite put my finger on. But it was unique in itself and I will definitely be reading more Clare Darcy.
Heroine reminded me a bit of Kitten from Friday’s Child, and the plot was reminiscent of a Heyer novel I can’t quite put my finger on. But it was unique in itself and I will definitely be reading more Clare Darcy.
March 18, 2015
Absolutely LOVED this darling little book. Definitely the best Regency-era story I have ever read by a later author. She nails the period manners, dress, and society whirl, keeps the action clean and hilarious, and did not make the romance typical or boring. :D
May 19, 2023
Not Heyer, no (there is nobody like her), but fortunately closer than most of the more recent Regencies where sexytimes have replaced witty banter and actual period feel.
The primary shortcoming with this book is that there isn't enough process for the amount of action that's stuffed into it at a breathless pace. I love the "girl in boy drag" trope because it allows circumvention of the very strict rules of behaviour for women at the time, but Ms Darcy wastes it since the hero (Redmayne) pretty much instantly realizes that "Mr Smith" isn't a Mr. I'm ok with the hero being fixated on another woman originally, but I want to see his feelings change, not have it happen all too suddenly. The same goes for the subplots; everything resolved so quickly I got whiplash. So much potentially delicious development is left on the cutting room floor.
The secondary shortcoming is that the characters are too large for their lives. Alright, so Mr Redmayne is a nabob who seems to fashion himself after the Prince Regent (I'm shuddering), and Elyza as the heroine has an excuse for being super lively and adventurous, but all the characters are just a bit overdrawn, a tad on the ridiculous side, and so the novel has a slightly farcical feel which I don't appreciate in romances.
But other than that, this is a quick, pleasant, escapist read. I think the characters are well-defined and interesting. I don't use the term "clean" because sex isn't dirty -- but there's no sex here, and nothing more erotic than a bit of kissing at the end. Which is how I like my Regencies. If I want sex, I read erotica, not this half-arsed stuff that has taken over historicals. Yeah. yeah, I know public tastes change, but mine hasn't changed along with them so now when scratching my romance itch I have to seek out books that were out of print for most of my life (praise the digital age).
The primary shortcoming with this book is that there isn't enough process for the amount of action that's stuffed into it at a breathless pace. I love the "girl in boy drag" trope because it allows circumvention of the very strict rules of behaviour for women at the time, but Ms Darcy wastes it since the hero (Redmayne) pretty much instantly realizes that "Mr Smith" isn't a Mr. I'm ok with the hero being fixated on another woman originally, but I want to see his feelings change, not have it happen all too suddenly. The same goes for the subplots; everything resolved so quickly I got whiplash. So much potentially delicious development is left on the cutting room floor.
The secondary shortcoming is that the characters are too large for their lives. Alright, so Mr Redmayne is a nabob who seems to fashion himself after the Prince Regent (I'm shuddering), and Elyza as the heroine has an excuse for being super lively and adventurous, but all the characters are just a bit overdrawn, a tad on the ridiculous side, and so the novel has a slightly farcical feel which I don't appreciate in romances.
But other than that, this is a quick, pleasant, escapist read. I think the characters are well-defined and interesting. I don't use the term "clean" because sex isn't dirty -- but there's no sex here, and nothing more erotic than a bit of kissing at the end. Which is how I like my Regencies. If I want sex, I read erotica, not this half-arsed stuff that has taken over historicals. Yeah. yeah, I know public tastes change, but mine hasn't changed along with them so now when scratching my romance itch I have to seek out books that were out of print for most of my life (praise the digital age).
June 10, 2025
'Elyza' è il settimo di 14 romanzi scritti da Clare Darcy (pseudonimo di Mary Deasy) ambientati nel periodo della Reggenza (libri che le hanno valso l’onore di essere definita come la vera erede di Georgette Heyer).
E’ il terzo libro che leggo della Darcy, e ogni volta mi piace di più!
Brava, brava, brava.
Leggera, ironica, garbata.
Bello!
I personaggi sono ben costruiti e più sinceri dei precedenti (si innamorano, lottano per i loro sentimenti, non si nascondono dietro inutili battibecchi) e sullo sfondo si vive l’allegria di Brighton (cittadina che avevo conosciuto sulle pagine de 'Il dandy della reggenza' di Georgette Heyer). Si ammira il Padiglione e si respira l’atmosfera di inizio Ottocento.
Il libro correva veloce e mi sono divertita moltissimo.
Tra i personaggi secondari mi è piaciuto molto il giovane Nicholas Crawfurd.
Tracce di Georgette Heyer più che di Jane Austen (della Austen vedo solo il ritratto di Brighton come il luogo dove sostano i militari che potrebbero indurre in tentazione le giovani ragazzi…). Ed inoltre un approfondimento sulla Compagnia delle Indie.
Infine… ho imparato l’etimologia della parola nababbo, nome (anglicizzato e poi italianizzato) su come venivano chiamato i possidenti inglesi in India, che gestivano il territorio e diventavano solitamente molto molto ricchi.
Complessivamente mi è piaciuto moltissimo!
Complimenti vivissimi.
Spero di leggere presto un nuovo libro della Darcy, sicuramente l’autrice che più ho apprezzato negli ultimi mesi.
E’ il terzo libro che leggo della Darcy, e ogni volta mi piace di più!
Brava, brava, brava.
Leggera, ironica, garbata.
Bello!
I personaggi sono ben costruiti e più sinceri dei precedenti (si innamorano, lottano per i loro sentimenti, non si nascondono dietro inutili battibecchi) e sullo sfondo si vive l’allegria di Brighton (cittadina che avevo conosciuto sulle pagine de 'Il dandy della reggenza' di Georgette Heyer). Si ammira il Padiglione e si respira l’atmosfera di inizio Ottocento.
Il libro correva veloce e mi sono divertita moltissimo.
Tra i personaggi secondari mi è piaciuto molto il giovane Nicholas Crawfurd.
Tracce di Georgette Heyer più che di Jane Austen (della Austen vedo solo il ritratto di Brighton come il luogo dove sostano i militari che potrebbero indurre in tentazione le giovani ragazzi…). Ed inoltre un approfondimento sulla Compagnia delle Indie.
Infine… ho imparato l’etimologia della parola nababbo, nome (anglicizzato e poi italianizzato) su come venivano chiamato i possidenti inglesi in India, che gestivano il territorio e diventavano solitamente molto molto ricchi.
Complessivamente mi è piaciuto moltissimo!
Complimenti vivissimi.
Spero di leggere presto un nuovo libro della Darcy, sicuramente l’autrice che più ho apprezzato negli ultimi mesi.
January 10, 2021
So good!!! This is the second Clare Darcy book I’ve read, the first being Victoire. Elyza is way better, in my opinion. Elyza reads like a Georgette Heyer book while still having an original plot and characters (unlike Victoire, which was much less original).
Elyza herself is a great heroine. She’s brave and loyal and sometimes impulsive. I love how she comes into herself over the course of the book, and comes out of her shell. She also doesn’t take herself overly seriously and isn’t one to sit around feeling sorry for herself (even though both her first crush and her first love are in love with the stunningly beautiful Miss Corrina Mayfield).
Darcy really is the next best thing to Heyer, which, from me, is high praise. I’ve tried a lot of other Regency romances and they all go wrong at some point. Either there are scenes that show the author’s ignorance of regency manners and proper behavior, or they’re not clean, or the language isn’t right. “Elyza” suffers from none of these shortcomings. Even when Elyza acts “improperly,” (i.e. dressing up as a boy) she knows that she’s doing it, and takes care to not get caught. The romance is there, but under the surface, in good, clean, Heyer-esque fashion.
Recommend this book to any fans of Georgette Heyer and a good PG romance. I’ll be reading the rest of Darcy’s books and I’m so glad I found her!
Elyza herself is a great heroine. She’s brave and loyal and sometimes impulsive. I love how she comes into herself over the course of the book, and comes out of her shell. She also doesn’t take herself overly seriously and isn’t one to sit around feeling sorry for herself (even though both her first crush and her first love are in love with the stunningly beautiful Miss Corrina Mayfield).
Darcy really is the next best thing to Heyer, which, from me, is high praise. I’ve tried a lot of other Regency romances and they all go wrong at some point. Either there are scenes that show the author’s ignorance of regency manners and proper behavior, or they’re not clean, or the language isn’t right. “Elyza” suffers from none of these shortcomings. Even when Elyza acts “improperly,” (i.e. dressing up as a boy) she knows that she’s doing it, and takes care to not get caught. The romance is there, but under the surface, in good, clean, Heyer-esque fashion.
Recommend this book to any fans of Georgette Heyer and a good PG romance. I’ll be reading the rest of Darcy’s books and I’m so glad I found her!
April 29, 2019
Elyza Leigh, determined to escape an engagement to a man she does like, dons boys clothes and leaves London. She encounters the handsome and wealthy Cleve Redmayne, who advises her to go back. They both go to Brighton where they make their mark on society and romance soon follows!
This is an absolute delight! Elyza, impetuous and sweet, is just the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about. She grows as a character, starting as a put-upon and cowed young lady who does something impetuous to escape and becomes a confident woman by the end.
Redmayne is entertaining as well, in his own way, with his quirks and the way he approaches discovering who he really loves. The supporting cast is also entertaining and earned smiles from me while I was reading.
The plot moved at a good pace. The writing style seems to be normal for when it was written, but I enjoyed it.
For an entertaining and light-hearted Regency Romance, Clare Darcy's Elyza is an excellent choice.
This is an absolute delight! Elyza, impetuous and sweet, is just the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about. She grows as a character, starting as a put-upon and cowed young lady who does something impetuous to escape and becomes a confident woman by the end.
Redmayne is entertaining as well, in his own way, with his quirks and the way he approaches discovering who he really loves. The supporting cast is also entertaining and earned smiles from me while I was reading.
The plot moved at a good pace. The writing style seems to be normal for when it was written, but I enjoyed it.
For an entertaining and light-hearted Regency Romance, Clare Darcy's Elyza is an excellent choice.
June 9, 2023
Solid old-fashioned regency. 3.5* rounded up
Elyza's father is a diplomat who is out of the country. He has arranged a chaperon and told her there will be a nice bonus if she can get Elyza nicely married off. The only villain in this book is the chaperon, but her motives are quite clear and she is not evil. Elyza runs away from her and the imminent proposal of a boring young man who has no interest in her. That is where the book starts.
I loved that her disguise is so utterly useless. It is something that I have rarely been able to buy into in other books. This seemed much more likely. Lucky for Elyza she is picked up by an honourable man and her adventures start then. He was enigmatic but seemed very reasonable and I could understand Elyza falling for him. Sadly he is bound and determined to make the beauty of the season his. Elyza decides that she wants him to be happy so she tries to help. Of course she fails and everyone is happy in the end. Even the chaperon.
Elyza's father is a diplomat who is out of the country. He has arranged a chaperon and told her there will be a nice bonus if she can get Elyza nicely married off. The only villain in this book is the chaperon, but her motives are quite clear and she is not evil. Elyza runs away from her and the imminent proposal of a boring young man who has no interest in her. That is where the book starts.
I loved that her disguise is so utterly useless. It is something that I have rarely been able to buy into in other books. This seemed much more likely. Lucky for Elyza she is picked up by an honourable man and her adventures start then. He was enigmatic but seemed very reasonable and I could understand Elyza falling for him. Sadly he is bound and determined to make the beauty of the season his. Elyza decides that she wants him to be happy so she tries to help. Of course she fails and everyone is happy in the end. Even the chaperon.
November 19, 2017
Although they are difficult to lay hands on, I managed to get a couple of books written by Clare Darcy, a pseudonym for Mary Deasy (1914-1978).
Elyza Leigh has run away from her chaperone, a ruthless woman hired by Elyza's father to get her married. However, Mrs. Winlock is insistent that Elyza must marry Sir Edward Mottram, a dull baronet who is simply following his mother's instructions. He no more wants to marry than Elyza does.
While Elyza, dressed as a boy, was staying at an inn, her purse was stolen and she is unable to pay her bill. She is rescued by Cleve Redmayne and offered a ride to Bath where Elyza's aunt lives.
This is a well-written, entertaining story in true Regency fashion. The story is set in London and Brighton.
Elyza Leigh has run away from her chaperone, a ruthless woman hired by Elyza's father to get her married. However, Mrs. Winlock is insistent that Elyza must marry Sir Edward Mottram, a dull baronet who is simply following his mother's instructions. He no more wants to marry than Elyza does.
While Elyza, dressed as a boy, was staying at an inn, her purse was stolen and she is unable to pay her bill. She is rescued by Cleve Redmayne and offered a ride to Bath where Elyza's aunt lives.
This is a well-written, entertaining story in true Regency fashion. The story is set in London and Brighton.
July 9, 2023
This was really quirky in some ways, but it was still a lot of fun. It’s necessary to suspend all critical faculties, however, for none of it makes a great deal of sense, but if you can go with the flow, it’s highly readable.
Here’s the premise: Elyza Leigh is that staple of the Regency romance, a girl making her debut in the season who’s being pushed into marrying a worthy but deadly dull man. Rather than submit, she dresses in boys clothes and runs away (yes, we’re deep into Cliche-land here), in an attempt to get to her aunt in Bath, but after a night at an inn, her purse has been stolen and she can’t pay her shot. Happily, a random stranger comes to her aid, the fabulously wealthy Cleve Redmayne, newly returned from India, who’s hoping to make his debut in English society - and find a beauty he spotted briefly two years before. He sees Elyza as someone who can help him. She’s in society herself, so she knows everyone, doesn’t she? And since they both appear to be heading to Bath, where his lost love is also heading, he believes, they can join forces.
Now Redmayne (I refuse to call him Cleve; I’m sure that’s a typo, because the blurb has him as Clive, but no matter) is not worldly wise to the ways of England, so before long the pair, aided and abetted by Redmayne’s vast retinue, are enjoying a country fair and getting into all sorts of difficulties of the reputation-ruining variety. Along the way, they pick up bouncy Nicholas Crawfurd (another odd name) who is also ripe for any lark. Redmayne and Crawfurd aren’t in the least bothered by Elyza’s boy’s clothes, but when Colonel Hanley turns up, sent by Elyza’s London chaperone to retrieve her, they realise just what a mess she is in.
Now, Redmayne is one of those magical McGuffin characters, who is so fabulously rich and surrounded by so many efficient and willing servants, that he’s able to solve any problem. In an instant, he has devised a cunning plan to get Elyza safely back to London, reputation intact. Crawfurd and the Colonel are sworn to secrecy, and all goes according to plan. Redmayne is actually a fascinating character, because he’s supremely self-confident (and with some justification) and yet at the same time he’s quite different from the usual run of Regency heroes. There’s something off-kilter about him, his assurance mixed with over-the-top displays of wealth and a slightly wobbly grasp of social protocol. He is a little too good at everything for my taste (what can I say, I like a beta hero myself).
The plot takes a dramatic swerve here, because somehow, for reasons I missed, Elyza and crew are going to Brighton for the summer, and Redmayne is also going, abandoning his previous plan as soon as he discovers from Elyza that a certain young lady by the name of Corinna Mayfield will also be there. Redmayne saw her briefly two years before and has been passionately in love with her ever since. Now that he’s rich, he intends to sweep her off her elegantly shod feet and waft her away to the altar. The bouncy Mr Crawfurd comes along for the ride, and so what seemed to be a road trip to Bath becomes a seaside holiday, featuring an appearance by no less a personage than the Prince Regent himself. Naturally, Elyza’s deadly dull suitor, Sir Edward Mottram, is also on hand to make the dreaded proposal.
This was written in the heyday of Georgette Heyer and it’s highly influenced by her work. The wheeling out of Prinny and other historical figures, for instance, and the detailed description of the Brighton Pavilion are very Heyer, and the whole plot is infused with the sort of unlikely happenstances and fairytale events and characters that make it more of a romp than a romance. There’s a silly subplot involving a villain that Elyza deals with very badly, there’s a even sillier duel and then the inevitable kidnapping (what is it with Regencies and kidnappings?). The main romance is fairly unconvincing, but that’s par for the course for books of this age, so I won’t complain too much. It’s funny, and I can forgive a book a great deal if it makes me laugh.
The writing is fine, and my only complaint is that the book seems to have been digitised with a character reader and not properly proofread, because every once in a while there’s a word mid-sentence that makes no sense at all. Sometimes it’s possible to work out what it should be but not always. Other than that, the book is a light-hearted read, true to its vintage. Don’t expect depth or rounded characters or even a plot that makes much sense but it’s hugely fun and I enjoyed it tremendously. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Elyza Leigh is that staple of the Regency romance, a girl making her debut in the season who’s being pushed into marrying a worthy but deadly dull man. Rather than submit, she dresses in boys clothes and runs away (yes, we’re deep into Cliche-land here), in an attempt to get to her aunt in Bath, but after a night at an inn, her purse has been stolen and she can’t pay her shot. Happily, a random stranger comes to her aid, the fabulously wealthy Cleve Redmayne, newly returned from India, who’s hoping to make his debut in English society - and find a beauty he spotted briefly two years before. He sees Elyza as someone who can help him. She’s in society herself, so she knows everyone, doesn’t she? And since they both appear to be heading to Bath, where his lost love is also heading, he believes, they can join forces.
Now Redmayne (I refuse to call him Cleve; I’m sure that’s a typo, because the blurb has him as Clive, but no matter) is not worldly wise to the ways of England, so before long the pair, aided and abetted by Redmayne’s vast retinue, are enjoying a country fair and getting into all sorts of difficulties of the reputation-ruining variety. Along the way, they pick up bouncy Nicholas Crawfurd (another odd name) who is also ripe for any lark. Redmayne and Crawfurd aren’t in the least bothered by Elyza’s boy’s clothes, but when Colonel Hanley turns up, sent by Elyza’s London chaperone to retrieve her, they realise just what a mess she is in.
Now, Redmayne is one of those magical McGuffin characters, who is so fabulously rich and surrounded by so many efficient and willing servants, that he’s able to solve any problem. In an instant, he has devised a cunning plan to get Elyza safely back to London, reputation intact. Crawfurd and the Colonel are sworn to secrecy, and all goes according to plan. Redmayne is actually a fascinating character, because he’s supremely self-confident (and with some justification) and yet at the same time he’s quite different from the usual run of Regency heroes. There’s something off-kilter about him, his assurance mixed with over-the-top displays of wealth and a slightly wobbly grasp of social protocol. He is a little too good at everything for my taste (what can I say, I like a beta hero myself).
The plot takes a dramatic swerve here, because somehow, for reasons I missed, Elyza and crew are going to Brighton for the summer, and Redmayne is also going, abandoning his previous plan as soon as he discovers from Elyza that a certain young lady by the name of Corinna Mayfield will also be there. Redmayne saw her briefly two years before and has been passionately in love with her ever since. Now that he’s rich, he intends to sweep her off her elegantly shod feet and waft her away to the altar. The bouncy Mr Crawfurd comes along for the ride, and so what seemed to be a road trip to Bath becomes a seaside holiday, featuring an appearance by no less a personage than the Prince Regent himself. Naturally, Elyza’s deadly dull suitor, Sir Edward Mottram, is also on hand to make the dreaded proposal.
This was written in the heyday of Georgette Heyer and it’s highly influenced by her work. The wheeling out of Prinny and other historical figures, for instance, and the detailed description of the Brighton Pavilion are very Heyer, and the whole plot is infused with the sort of unlikely happenstances and fairytale events and characters that make it more of a romp than a romance. There’s a silly subplot involving a villain that Elyza deals with very badly, there’s a even sillier duel and then the inevitable kidnapping (what is it with Regencies and kidnappings?). The main romance is fairly unconvincing, but that’s par for the course for books of this age, so I won’t complain too much. It’s funny, and I can forgive a book a great deal if it makes me laugh.
The writing is fine, and my only complaint is that the book seems to have been digitised with a character reader and not properly proofread, because every once in a while there’s a word mid-sentence that makes no sense at all. Sometimes it’s possible to work out what it should be but not always. Other than that, the book is a light-hearted read, true to its vintage. Don’t expect depth or rounded characters or even a plot that makes much sense but it’s hugely fun and I enjoyed it tremendously. Five stars.
August 16, 2025
Clare Darcy seems to have "borrowed" a lot from Heyer. The first bit reminded me of Heyer's short story (Bath Miss). And there are conversations that remind me of Cotillion and Friday's Child. The writing style though is bad. Every sentence seems to run on and on. So much so that I had to go back and read them again to make sense of them.
Heyer's language was also old-fashioned but the prose always flowed very smoothly. Still I definitely enjoyed Elyza's character. Redmayne seemed to be a mix between the older heroes of Heyer (the Corinthian, Sir Gareth) and a young hero (The Foundling, Charity Girl etc) and hence a little difficult to fathom.
Heyer's language was also old-fashioned but the prose always flowed very smoothly. Still I definitely enjoyed Elyza's character. Redmayne seemed to be a mix between the older heroes of Heyer (the Corinthian, Sir Gareth) and a young hero (The Foundling, Charity Girl etc) and hence a little difficult to fathom.
June 5, 2018
A wonderful Regency Romance by Clare Darcy. The story is about Elyza, whose actions at the start of the book are scandalous, but she is saved by Cleve Redmane, a very handsome and wealthy man just returned from India. They both save the other several times throughout the book, and while she has fallen in love with him, he came back to find the most beautiful debutante of the season (and several prior ones). It is a clean book, written with the constraints of a female's reputation in society being properly described. Highly enjoyable
February 16, 2021
As a lady of more advanced age, I tend to enjoy stories with similarly affected heroines more, so a sixteen-year-old Elyza here was doomed to always slightly disappoint from the very start. While the story itself was rather silly (and lacked a bit more complex plot... but hey, it's just regency romp), the writing did indeed remind me of Heyer's weaker books in the sense of quite well-written dialogues and in the way the characters were portrayed.
June 18, 2023
This may be my new favorite historical fiction writer! Well done, Clare Darcy. Off to read others!
It's only 4 because I feel like we had too much time with Elyza pining and the main boo pining after someone else, but all in all I was amused by the adventure.
It's only 4 because I feel like we had too much time with Elyza pining and the main boo pining after someone else, but all in all I was amused by the adventure.
June 22, 2023
This was an absolutely enjoyable bit of fluff. Perfect for a stressful time, it has romance, silly adventure, and a regency setting. It doesn't ask you to do anything but suspend a little disbelief and come along for the ride. It is a 4* for its type of book.
August 7, 2017
This was actually quite a bit better than I thought it would be. A clean, fun regency romp without any annoying characters!
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