“Saving Grace” - Lucinda Brant
Carlisle, Cumbria England - 1788
Edith Meredith’s father, the widowed Viscount Salkeld, is complaining about the number of people that Edith has invited to a tea party to celebrate her upcoming marriage. Edith is to marry Sir James Murray, a Scotsman, whose home is Comlongon Castle.
Having lost his wife and two sons, the Viscount is governed by his youngest son, Royston, who now has control of the family funds leaving his father with just spending money. The Viscount is a grumpy man who has not managed the family funds like he should. But, cousin Helen, Lady Dysart, who is attending the tea party, knows how to calm the Viscount.
Royston is a trained physician who cares for people and animals alike. His services are needed, but his father wants him to give this up and concentrate on finding a woman to marry and produce an heir. Seeing Helen today has left Royston agog at her beauty. They had played together as children and Royston still loves her.
Edith’s younger sister, Grace, is in love with a young man, but Royston insists that she is too young to think of marrying. But when she and her young man run off to Gretna Green, Royston and Helen give chase to find them.
Will Helen and Royston be able to again find the love they once shared and have a future together?
This is an OK story but I found it to be a little clumsy at times.
“Fools Rush In” - Julie Daines
Richard Arden is drinking wine in a pub. He desperately needs his inheritance from his aunt. Contemplating the available woman has totally depressed him. When he overhears a young woman named Eliza Barnes, age 20, being berated by her stepmother he can’t help but overhear. The woman is telling Eliza that she must wed a totally odious man, Mr. Barrington. But Eliza refuses listing the man’s many faults. When she steps outside for some air to try and calm herself, Richard follows her and proposes that they pretend they are to wed long enough for him to get his inheritance and she can get rid of the disgusting Mr. Barrington. She agrees; they inform her stepmother and suitor, and leave.
They undertake a longer and difficult journey to escape Mr. Barrington. Richard’s inheritance is his younger sister who has been staying with their aunt who treats the girl very badly. Will Richard and Eliza be able to rescue his sister and escape Mr. Barrington?
This story was clever and I enjoyed it. However, I think it could have been shortened a bit.
“A Lady of Scandal” - Heather B. Moore
Lady Bridget Wilde was married for only four hours before her husband, Lord Anthony Wilde, son of the Earl of Marsden, shot himself. It turns out that it was an accident because the wedding party had become too rambunctious. But rather than feeling grief at his death, Bridget feels only relief because she is free.
Hugh Wilde, age 30, and son of the Marquess of Crowton, is currently in Scotland overseeing his property’s finances and looking forward to returning to his father’s estate. When he receives a letter from his father telling him of his cousin, Anthony’s death, he is heartbroken and immediately prepares to return home.
One Year Later
Lady Bridget’s Aunt Harriet is telling her that she must put aside her mourning and return to society. In addition, she must oversee her sister, Phoebe’s season. Bridget would prefer to wait another year for Phoebe to mature more, but her controlling Aunt Harriet is adamant. She was the one who had pushed Bridget to marry Anthony.
Hugh Wilde has never met Bridget for she chose to return to her aunt’s home after Anthony’s funeral. It appears that Anthony and Bridget had to marry because they had been caught in an accidental compromising situation. Hugh loved his cousin Anthony and can’t help but blame Bridget for his death.
Hugh has been tasked with keeping an eye on his cousin, Walter, as the young man enters the season. When Walter meets Phoebe, he is smitten and both of them will not be stopped from heading to Gretna Green. Hugh and Bridget take off in pursuit hoping to find them before they can get married.
Will their togetherness on the journey allow them to get to know one another and perhaps spark a romantic relationship?
I enjoyed this book and of the three stories, I think it is my favorite.
Copy provided by I Am a Reader in exchange for a fair and honest review.