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The Byram Succession
It was her first introduction to society - and love...
Albertine 'Tina' Newton knows her worth. The most beautiful girl of the Season, she knew she was born to grace a nobler establishment. And she has her sights set on the perfect husband: Lord Skirlaugh, the heir to the Duke of Byram.
Scarred, disillusioned, and cynical, Skirlaugh must nonetheless marry to ensure the succession. He neither expected nor desired love; just a well-bred conformable wife with a reasonable dowry.
Tina is certain that there is no one to outshine her. But when her cousin Thea inherits a fortune, she also becomes a contender for Skirlaugh's attention.
Then, after meeting on a roadside when both stopped to aid a young man with a badly injured horse, it seems that Thea and Skirlaugh have more potential than Tina thinks...
But which aspiring débutante will please his critical taste?
Mira Stables is the author of many historical fiction novels, including The Swynden Necklace and Golden Barrier.
Albertine 'Tina' Newton knows her worth. The most beautiful girl of the Season, she knew she was born to grace a nobler establishment. And she has her sights set on the perfect husband: Lord Skirlaugh, the heir to the Duke of Byram.
Scarred, disillusioned, and cynical, Skirlaugh must nonetheless marry to ensure the succession. He neither expected nor desired love; just a well-bred conformable wife with a reasonable dowry.
Tina is certain that there is no one to outshine her. But when her cousin Thea inherits a fortune, she also becomes a contender for Skirlaugh's attention.
Then, after meeting on a roadside when both stopped to aid a young man with a badly injured horse, it seems that Thea and Skirlaugh have more potential than Tina thinks...
But which aspiring débutante will please his critical taste?
Mira Stables is the author of many historical fiction novels, including The Swynden Necklace and Golden Barrier.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 15, 2013
Michelle Metro worked on this one. I didn't much like it, so only 5 stars!
August 6, 2019
After the success of Stranger Within The Gates, I moved straight on to this one, to find a very different but equally enjoyable tale. The premise is an old one - two cousins doing the season, one a raving beauty, the other passable. One a fashionably ninny, the other more thoughtful. One a spoilt, spiteful brat, the other a pleasantly-mannered girl. Well, she’s the heroine, so of course she is. But Thea has something often lacking in such heroines - an unexpectedly acquired and rather large fortune. But, as is the way in Regency romances, the fortune is not to be mentioned to avoid the dire prospect of fortune hunters. The fact that this also deters otherwise respectable suitors, like the impoverished heir to a dukedom, is never considered.
The said heir to the dukedom isn’t terribly impoverished (it’s hard to dissipate a dukedom-sized fortune), but his parents would like him to marry some money all the same, to replenish the family coffers. So when he comes across an accident on the road, and helps a self-possessed young lady to rescue the fallen curricle driver and the injured horse, he’s politely interested in her but not enough to consider her for the role of future duchess.
He is himself the interest of the above-mentioned spoilt brat, Tina, who has decided it’s her destiny to be a duchess and so sets out to cajole, entice and charm Lord Skirlaugh, and when that doesn’t have the desired effect, she resorts to scheming and plotting instead. This makes a nice change from the wicked cousin trying to improve his chances of inheriting, which seems to be the commonest Regency villain. Tina isn’t actually wicked, she’s simply self-centred and oblivious to the consequences of her actions.
I liked both Skirlaugh and Thea. He’s a bit cynical, and sensitive about his facial scars (are they a war wound? I don’t remember). She’s refreshingly different from the usual society debutante, and their romance felt nicely believable. The ending is a little bit contrived but by that point I was so invested in these two that I didn’t mind. A well-written story with the ring of Regency authenticity about it. My only (very mild) grumble is that I don’t know Lord Skirlaugh’s exact rank. As the heir to a duke, he’s likely to be a marquess, but it’s never said explicitly. Highly recommended for those looking for a solid traditional read. Five stars.
The said heir to the dukedom isn’t terribly impoverished (it’s hard to dissipate a dukedom-sized fortune), but his parents would like him to marry some money all the same, to replenish the family coffers. So when he comes across an accident on the road, and helps a self-possessed young lady to rescue the fallen curricle driver and the injured horse, he’s politely interested in her but not enough to consider her for the role of future duchess.
He is himself the interest of the above-mentioned spoilt brat, Tina, who has decided it’s her destiny to be a duchess and so sets out to cajole, entice and charm Lord Skirlaugh, and when that doesn’t have the desired effect, she resorts to scheming and plotting instead. This makes a nice change from the wicked cousin trying to improve his chances of inheriting, which seems to be the commonest Regency villain. Tina isn’t actually wicked, she’s simply self-centred and oblivious to the consequences of her actions.
I liked both Skirlaugh and Thea. He’s a bit cynical, and sensitive about his facial scars (are they a war wound? I don’t remember). She’s refreshingly different from the usual society debutante, and their romance felt nicely believable. The ending is a little bit contrived but by that point I was so invested in these two that I didn’t mind. A well-written story with the ring of Regency authenticity about it. My only (very mild) grumble is that I don’t know Lord Skirlaugh’s exact rank. As the heir to a duke, he’s likely to be a marquess, but it’s never said explicitly. Highly recommended for those looking for a solid traditional read. Five stars.
December 8, 2021
This was just ok.
December 8, 2018
The second novel by Mira Stables that I have read and I think the last.
As I wrote in the other review, I have found no historical inaccuracy. It was a fast reading and in the atmosphere of a typical Regency romance.
But it was only ok. I mean, I could see that Mira Stables felt the era but as for me, it was too flat. I would have even preferred a little inaccuracy but with a wit, or something that makes the commonly used and known stories (Regency romances) more engaging.
Nonetheless, like with A Marriage Arranged, I don't discourage you, both books are on OpenLibrary, you can give it a try.
As I wrote in the other review, I have found no historical inaccuracy. It was a fast reading and in the atmosphere of a typical Regency romance.
But it was only ok. I mean, I could see that Mira Stables felt the era but as for me, it was too flat. I would have even preferred a little inaccuracy but with a wit, or something that makes the commonly used and known stories (Regency romances) more engaging.
Nonetheless, like with A Marriage Arranged, I don't discourage you, both books are on OpenLibrary, you can give it a try.
August 18, 2018
This was my first Mira Stables title and the one that is most likely to fall apart in my hands due to so much re-reading. Happily, her books are being reissued for e-readers and (if you ignore the not-at-all historically accurate gowns the heroine's are wearing on the covers) you'll find that you've stumbled on some gems.
Things I particularly like with The Byram Succession:
Stables doesn't feel she has to tell you about the hero having any sexual history. Possibly he does, possibly he doesn't. But Stables doesn't peddle any double standards here.
The heroine isn't super gorgeous and the hero is scarred (enough so he's conscious of how people react to him). They come together at the end in a way that makes me feel both of them will thank their lucky stars for each other.
They are such nice people. Scars and hidden inheritances could all be a bit Gothic and brooding but it's mostly a sunny little book about people who are pretty normal and nice.
Things I particularly like with The Byram Succession:
Stables doesn't feel she has to tell you about the hero having any sexual history. Possibly he does, possibly he doesn't. But Stables doesn't peddle any double standards here.
The heroine isn't super gorgeous and the hero is scarred (enough so he's conscious of how people react to him). They come together at the end in a way that makes me feel both of them will thank their lucky stars for each other.
They are such nice people. Scars and hidden inheritances could all be a bit Gothic and brooding but it's mostly a sunny little book about people who are pretty normal and nice.
August 22, 2013
After receiving an unexpected inheritance h leaves the village where her father is parson and heads to London for a Season. En route, she stops to help at the scene of an accident and begs the assistance of H. When h arrives at her aunt's house in London, she learns that her beautiful cousin is scheming to trap H but H sees through her scheming and finds himself drawn to h's company instead
August 31, 2018
A scarred heir to a dukedom and a provincial miss
Loved the secondary characters such as Aunt Maria.
Aunt Maria was possessed of that happy disposition that can put unfortunate happenings quite out of mind as soon as the visible evidence is neatly tidied away.
“Love can be an embarrassment, a heavy burden to a decent man, if it is given unasked,” said the voice dispassionately.
Loved the secondary characters such as Aunt Maria.
Aunt Maria was possessed of that happy disposition that can put unfortunate happenings quite out of mind as soon as the visible evidence is neatly tidied away.
“Love can be an embarrassment, a heavy burden to a decent man, if it is given unasked,” said the voice dispassionately.
December 20, 2018
From one of the more intelligent authors of this genre comes this beautifully written heart~warming poignant Romance. Though the plot is fairly common, it has been set apart from and above the mediocre by its intelligent writing as well as witty conversations and discourses among such endearing characters.
P.S. ~ Downloaded FREE from libgen.io (Library Genesis) where some classics and not easily obtainable tried and true romances and other fictional books can be found.
P.S. ~ Downloaded FREE from libgen.io (Library Genesis) where some classics and not easily obtainable tried and true romances and other fictional books can be found.
October 8, 2018
Very nice read
This author is new to me, but I must say I enjoyed the book very much and look forward to reading more.
The story was a good length and an easy read, and well written, the characters on the whole were lovely with the exception of the spiteful cousin, but she made for an interesting read.
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
This author is new to me, but I must say I enjoyed the book very much and look forward to reading more.
The story was a good length and an easy read, and well written, the characters on the whole were lovely with the exception of the spiteful cousin, but she made for an interesting read.
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
October 1, 2020
Just what a romance should be
This lovely book has an intelligent, modestly pretty clergyman's daughter as heroine and a brave, virtuous and scarred hero. As the perfect foil for the heroine, her gorgeous, vain and selfish cousin.
If you like a book to have wonderful new words to add to your vocabulary, this is for you.
This lovely book has an intelligent, modestly pretty clergyman's daughter as heroine and a brave, virtuous and scarred hero. As the perfect foil for the heroine, her gorgeous, vain and selfish cousin.
If you like a book to have wonderful new words to add to your vocabulary, this is for you.
May 10, 2020
A very pleasant read
Fluid prose, fleshed out characters, witty dialogues round off this well written story. The story line was simple and does not veer off into irrelevancies. Recommended.
Fluid prose, fleshed out characters, witty dialogues round off this well written story. The story line was simple and does not veer off into irrelevancies. Recommended.
August 5, 2018
Excellent
Excellent read in the style of Geogette Heyer. Engaging story, likeable characters. If only there were more books out there like this one.
Excellent read in the style of Geogette Heyer. Engaging story, likeable characters. If only there were more books out there like this one.
September 1, 2018
Must read this author
What a great story and wonderful main characters. History woven that just added to the story,nice family relationships both sides.
What a great story and wonderful main characters. History woven that just added to the story,nice family relationships both sides.
November 12, 2018
3.5
Clean traditional.
Clean traditional.
December 17, 2018
Great story!
An aristocrat with a scarred face and 2 very different young women come into his life. Which one should be choose? Clean and endearing.
An aristocrat with a scarred face and 2 very different young women come into his life. Which one should be choose? Clean and endearing.
August 25, 2019
3.75 stars
November 14, 2019
Mira Stables does Regency right
This is one Regency author I will be following. She is good at details... but not overly detailed. The book is simple and the characters interesting
This is one Regency author I will be following. She is good at details... but not overly detailed. The book is simple and the characters interesting
July 24, 2020
3,25 stars. Nice writing style, easy reading, and while the heroine was a little too perfect, it was very gratifying to see the odious Tina put in her place by the end.
June 23, 2022
3.75 stars. Enjoyable.
November 27, 2023
Loved it
So far i am loving mira stables. Just as good as georgette heyer. Her writing is engrossing and the characters are good too.
So far i am loving mira stables. Just as good as georgette heyer. Her writing is engrossing and the characters are good too.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews