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Sisters of Woodside Mysteries #3
The Companion
A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. Margaret is the quiet one of the Winterton family, happy only in her own home with her sisters protectively gathered around her. But her father’s death and mountain of debts tear the sisters apart and uproot them from Woodside. As a poor relation, Margaret must become a lowly paid companion to two elderly aunts she has never met. There is no welcome for Margaret at their gloomy house, Pendarreth, but the surrounding woods bring her solace - and unexpected danger. Mel Haymer is a simple country curate by profession, but his past holds a dark secret. He is quite content to leave the past undisturbed, but then he meets Margaret Winterton, a young lady unlike any other he’s ever known. He can’t deny his feelings for her, but if he surrenders to love, he will bring disaster to his family. Margaret’s coming cracks the fragile shell hiding family tragedies. Can Mel and Margaret find the strength to uncover the truth and turn Pendarreth into a happy home? Book 3 of the 5-book Sisters of Woodside Mysteries series, each a complete story with a HEA, but read all of them to find out all the secrets of the Winterton family!
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2018
About the author
Mary Kingswood
66 books487 followersI live in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland with my husband. I like chocolate, whisky, my Kindle, massed pipe bands, long leisurely lunches, chocolate, going places in my campervan, eating pizza in Italy, summer nights that never get dark, wood fires in winter, chocolate, the view from the study window looking out over the Moray Firth and the Black Isle to the mountains beyond. And chocolate. I dislike driving on motorways, cooking, shopping, hospitals.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 28, 2018
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‘The Companion’ is the third installment of a new Regency romance series, 'The Sisters of Woodside Mystery's', by Mary Kingswood. I read the Kindle edition of this Romantical/Mystery series. The Winterton sister's lives were torn apart when their wastrel father died, after expending resources foolishly and self-indulgently, leaving them in poverty. In turn, they were forced to leave their childhood home and each had to step down from the gentry in order to work for other families to support themselves.
"My dear niece Margaret, We are all so looking forward to your arrival. You will be such a help to your Aunt Letty, and it will greatly relieve my mind to have you in the house and able to share the burden of caring for her. Not that I regard it as the least burdensome, naturally, but who else should care for her but her sister. But your tender ministrations to your aunt will enable me to devote more time to tending our precious inheritance, which duty I have been obliged to set aside since my dear sister became ill. When I say duty, of course, it is pleasantest of duties and quite lifts my spirits. Your loving Aunt Prudence."
I felt engaged in the life of Miss Margaret Winteron, as a companion to her two elderly and eccentric aunts, and the endearing local curate, Mr. Mel Haymer, who harbors a secret past that is very well kept. His past ties his hands in regard to involvement in a marriage of any kind on his part. Margaret is shy and constantly struggles with the inability to articulate her words verbally and must result in writing down her thoughts on a chalkboard to converse with others. Together these two are able to unfold a cacophony of delightful hours of entertainment for the indulgent reader. They compliment each other and those around them.
Ye'll get used to them, miss, "she said." "They's kindly souls, both on 'em. Good night, miss."
I appreciated that there wasn't an overbearing obstruction to the romance brewing. Sometimes those are just too over to the top to be credible. Each installment includes several twists, an investigation, and a well-developed cast. I enjoyed getting to know the sisters through their letters to Margaret throughout the book. I look forward to their stories in the future! This is a "clean" romance and becomes appropriate for all ages, which may be boring for those who desire the explicitly of sexual scenes included. I, however, found it refreshing! I don't feel a romance novel needs explicit sex. This book is definitely able to stand on its own. I appreciate it is a clean version and that there was a wonderfully appropriate H.E.A.
‘The Companion’ is the third installment of a new Regency romance series, 'The Sisters of Woodside Mystery's', by Mary Kingswood. I read the Kindle edition of this Romantical/Mystery series. The Winterton sister's lives were torn apart when their wastrel father died, after expending resources foolishly and self-indulgently, leaving them in poverty. In turn, they were forced to leave their childhood home and each had to step down from the gentry in order to work for other families to support themselves.
"My dear niece Margaret, We are all so looking forward to your arrival. You will be such a help to your Aunt Letty, and it will greatly relieve my mind to have you in the house and able to share the burden of caring for her. Not that I regard it as the least burdensome, naturally, but who else should care for her but her sister. But your tender ministrations to your aunt will enable me to devote more time to tending our precious inheritance, which duty I have been obliged to set aside since my dear sister became ill. When I say duty, of course, it is pleasantest of duties and quite lifts my spirits. Your loving Aunt Prudence."
I felt engaged in the life of Miss Margaret Winteron, as a companion to her two elderly and eccentric aunts, and the endearing local curate, Mr. Mel Haymer, who harbors a secret past that is very well kept. His past ties his hands in regard to involvement in a marriage of any kind on his part. Margaret is shy and constantly struggles with the inability to articulate her words verbally and must result in writing down her thoughts on a chalkboard to converse with others. Together these two are able to unfold a cacophony of delightful hours of entertainment for the indulgent reader. They compliment each other and those around them.
Ye'll get used to them, miss, "she said." "They's kindly souls, both on 'em. Good night, miss."
I appreciated that there wasn't an overbearing obstruction to the romance brewing. Sometimes those are just too over to the top to be credible. Each installment includes several twists, an investigation, and a well-developed cast. I enjoyed getting to know the sisters through their letters to Margaret throughout the book. I look forward to their stories in the future! This is a "clean" romance and becomes appropriate for all ages, which may be boring for those who desire the explicitly of sexual scenes included. I, however, found it refreshing! I don't feel a romance novel needs explicit sex. This book is definitely able to stand on its own. I appreciate it is a clean version and that there was a wonderfully appropriate H.E.A.
July 13, 2022
4 STARS
Another great story. I really liked Margaret's character. Although I kept waiting for some answers as to how she came to have her disability. This was not addressed. I also was quite disappointed in Mel's character. I found him too much the beta. I guess it fit his clergyman persona, but I felt like he could have been quite a bit more gallant towards Margaret.
Overall and intriguing storyline though. Predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. Looking forward to Fanny's story.
Another great story. I really liked Margaret's character. Although I kept waiting for some answers as to how she came to have her disability. This was not addressed. I also was quite disappointed in Mel's character. I found him too much the beta. I guess it fit his clergyman persona, but I felt like he could have been quite a bit more gallant towards Margaret.
Overall and intriguing storyline though. Predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. Looking forward to Fanny's story.
June 4, 2021
Hated it. Insulting to people with actual communication disabilities. 1.5* rounded up because I actually really like the author. But boy did I hate this book.
I have read all 5 of the books in this series (but not the prequel). It is safe to say this one can be skipped. God I wish I had known that and saved my brain cells.
Margaret is the third of the unmarried sisters and she has been sent to live with two aged aunts that she does not know. While the she meets and falls in love with the local curate Mel(ville). They agree they can not ever marry but still spend loads of time together. When one of the aunts dies things really change for Margaret and Mel comes to the rescue. Pretty standard stuff except I disliked Margaret and was not all that enamoured of Mel.
Things to know about Margaret:
I don't need to like every character to like a book but it does help me to enjoy a romance if I at least like the main couple. And I probably would have never loved a book with these two as leads but I would not have hated it. The loathing is caused by inconsistencies with the personalities of the characters. The biggest one being Margaret. The entire thing about her not speaking and not writing to her sisters felt like a cheap ploy that was not researched carefully. I have had plenty of students who had difficulty expressing themselves when stressed. I have even had nearly mute students who were perfectly intelligent just as Margaret is described. Never have these students been unwilling to attempt to communicate when it was important. I think letting your sisters know you are alive is important. She does write 4 short notes to the sisters. This is consistent with her stated inability to get her words on to paper. And she feels extra constraint in writing because one of the aunts reads every letter that enters or leaves the home. But she could have written a single sentence to say. "I'm alive and still living with Aunt Pru". This would have been consistent. But she does not. She could have asked the vicar's wife to help her. She tells her everything else so this is not so bad. When she does finally have more freedom to writ what does she do - writes dozens of invitations to a party that she has decided to throw. This pushed her into thoughtless cow region for me. When she gets married she again fails to write to her sisters. She does not even send a note with Leo when he shows up at sister Lucy's behest. Now Margaret absolutely has no excuse. She knows her sisters are frantic. She writes not a single word! And she tells Leo to tell Lucy nothing so that she can write her all the news. And then she still does not write. It was annoying, unbelievable, and insulting to all those who truly suffer from such things.
I have read all 5 of the books in this series (but not the prequel). It is safe to say this one can be skipped. God I wish I had known that and saved my brain cells.
Margaret is the third of the unmarried sisters and she has been sent to live with two aged aunts that she does not know. While the she meets and falls in love with the local curate Mel(ville). They agree they can not ever marry but still spend loads of time together. When one of the aunts dies things really change for Margaret and Mel comes to the rescue. Pretty standard stuff except I disliked Margaret and was not all that enamoured of Mel.
Things to know about Margaret:
1. She is a boring drip.
2. She is smarter than most people think.
3. She is capable of making and following through on plans.
4. She has difficulty speaking and many think she is mute.
5. She is a thoughtless cow who fails to write to her sisters for ages and lets them worry for her wellbeing.
I don't need to like every character to like a book but it does help me to enjoy a romance if I at least like the main couple. And I probably would have never loved a book with these two as leads but I would not have hated it. The loathing is caused by inconsistencies with the personalities of the characters. The biggest one being Margaret. The entire thing about her not speaking and not writing to her sisters felt like a cheap ploy that was not researched carefully. I have had plenty of students who had difficulty expressing themselves when stressed. I have even had nearly mute students who were perfectly intelligent just as Margaret is described. Never have these students been unwilling to attempt to communicate when it was important. I think letting your sisters know you are alive is important. She does write 4 short notes to the sisters. This is consistent with her stated inability to get her words on to paper. And she feels extra constraint in writing because one of the aunts reads every letter that enters or leaves the home. But she could have written a single sentence to say. "I'm alive and still living with Aunt Pru". This would have been consistent. But she does not. She could have asked the vicar's wife to help her. She tells her everything else so this is not so bad. When she does finally have more freedom to writ what does she do - writes dozens of invitations to a party that she has decided to throw. This pushed her into thoughtless cow region for me. When she gets married she again fails to write to her sisters. She does not even send a note with Leo when he shows up at sister Lucy's behest. Now Margaret absolutely has no excuse. She knows her sisters are frantic. She writes not a single word! And she tells Leo to tell Lucy nothing so that she can write her all the news. And then she still does not write. It was annoying, unbelievable, and insulting to all those who truly suffer from such things.
July 13, 2021
A so so story.
There were parts I liked-the hero was a beta male, a nice change of pace. I initially liked the heroine and applauded the author for being brave enough to have a heroine with a disability.
But the beta male was so beta as to be a doormat, and the heroines disabilities nearly magically vanish with the "love of a good man". Ugh. Better if the author had let her be herself and be accepted than to feel the need for her to transform.
As others stated-it was also too long.
There were parts I liked-the hero was a beta male, a nice change of pace. I initially liked the heroine and applauded the author for being brave enough to have a heroine with a disability.
But the beta male was so beta as to be a doormat, and the heroines disabilities nearly magically vanish with the "love of a good man". Ugh. Better if the author had let her be herself and be accepted than to feel the need for her to transform.
As others stated-it was also too long.
November 22, 2018
I received an advanced readers' copy of this book before its initial release and am definitely a fan of all of Mary Kingswood's books I've read so far (this one being no exception). It is interesting to finally see this sister's perspective in the midst of all the other stories. I really loved how unique Margaret Winterton's character is. She is at once fierce and somewhat fragile. I occasionally wondered if there was something deeper to Margaret's resistance toward talking that might have been glossed over in favor of other story threads, but I think this novel had plenty else going for it. The love story was heartwarming, and the mystery was intriguing. I liked the crossover in story lines between this and some of Kingswood's other books, but it's nothing that would interfere with anyone who hadn't read them being able to read this novel, as it could certainly stand alone. If you like a combination of romance, historical fiction, and mystery, I would recommend this and Kingswood's other books!
May 5, 2022
Jesus Christ on a bike
January 28, 2019
Part of a Regency romance series built on a family that is left without means to maintain their comfortable lifestyle when the father dies. Each book follows the fate of various daughters, this one a young woman who is sent off to elderly cousins as companion.
It is very long, I must say, but since I am snowed in and prevented from making a trip downtown to my library, I won't complain. The book entertained me as the main character Margaret was easy to invest in.
Kindle Unlimited
It is very long, I must say, but since I am snowed in and prevented from making a trip downtown to my library, I won't complain. The book entertained me as the main character Margaret was easy to invest in.
Kindle Unlimited
April 9, 2019
I am going to do everyone else who dislikes this book a favor and spoil it so you don't have to finish it. It was insanely long for a book that was so dull for 75% of it. The pacing was truly bizarre -- it oozed along at a glacial pace and then suddenly it was like the author remembered there was supposed to be some kind of carnage and "whoops!" it all comes flying at you.
So who are Mel Haymer's parents? The viscount (the baddie, I have already forgotten his name) and Selina, the aunt who was so "overset" by her season she had to come be an invalid for a few months right around the time that Aunt Pru got rid of all male servants. She and the viscount got drunk one night and she got knocked up. The viscount felt so guilty about this he scampered off home and impregnated his long-suffering wife -- I assume, to have both boys born at the same time. So Mel really is the Viscount's firstborn son, but not in legitimate marriage.
Aunt Pru had also born him a son twenty years before that, who is buried in the secret vale alongside the more fancy grave.
As it turns out, Aunt Pru is a nutjob who decides to murder Aunt Selina so that she doesn't have a chance to come forward and provide the necessary evidence to allow the viscount to disinherit Mel -- she wants one of her descendants to be a Viscount AND inherit Pendereth, and is she's also evidently losing her mind and kind of things Mel is her son. Oh, and she murdered the Viscount's real baby and replaced him with Mel. She ends up stabbing herself, as any self-respecting villainess would.
So our heroine gets to marry her cousin after all, the son of her Aunt Selina. I guess? Their kids will have issues.
The book was dull for the most part. The heroine was annoying with her speech impediment that conveniently disappeared whenever writing on a slate would be stupid in that situation. I don't at all understand why she and Mel fell for each other, they just suddenly and automatically were in love. I guess Mel gets to stay the Viscount and his natural father is suddenly totally fine with it, because the other would-be heir turns out to be immature and annoying so screw him. Hopefully he dies in a Peninsular war or something (seems to be the tone).
I learned that I should redo my will so that it has paradoxical clauses that somehow turn out to be true. My heiress can have my estate only if she marries her cousin, otherwise it goes to Viscount Whatsit. Except the future Viscount Whatsit IS her cousin so now she gets to have the estate AND children with three eyes! Hurrah!
So who are Mel Haymer's parents? The viscount (the baddie, I have already forgotten his name) and Selina, the aunt who was so "overset" by her season she had to come be an invalid for a few months right around the time that Aunt Pru got rid of all male servants. She and the viscount got drunk one night and she got knocked up. The viscount felt so guilty about this he scampered off home and impregnated his long-suffering wife -- I assume, to have both boys born at the same time. So Mel really is the Viscount's firstborn son, but not in legitimate marriage.
Aunt Pru had also born him a son twenty years before that, who is buried in the secret vale alongside the more fancy grave.
As it turns out, Aunt Pru is a nutjob who decides to murder Aunt Selina so that she doesn't have a chance to come forward and provide the necessary evidence to allow the viscount to disinherit Mel -- she wants one of her descendants to be a Viscount AND inherit Pendereth, and is she's also evidently losing her mind and kind of things Mel is her son. Oh, and she murdered the Viscount's real baby and replaced him with Mel. She ends up stabbing herself, as any self-respecting villainess would.
So our heroine gets to marry her cousin after all, the son of her Aunt Selina. I guess? Their kids will have issues.
The book was dull for the most part. The heroine was annoying with her speech impediment that conveniently disappeared whenever writing on a slate would be stupid in that situation. I don't at all understand why she and Mel fell for each other, they just suddenly and automatically were in love. I guess Mel gets to stay the Viscount and his natural father is suddenly totally fine with it, because the other would-be heir turns out to be immature and annoying so screw him. Hopefully he dies in a Peninsular war or something (seems to be the tone).
I learned that I should redo my will so that it has paradoxical clauses that somehow turn out to be true. My heiress can have my estate only if she marries her cousin, otherwise it goes to Viscount Whatsit. Except the future Viscount Whatsit IS her cousin so now she gets to have the estate AND children with three eyes! Hurrah!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2018
Margaret is the quiet one of the Winterton family, happy only in her own home with her sisters protectively gathered around her. But her father’s death and mountain of debts tear the sisters apart and uproot them from Woodside. As a poor relation, Margaret must become a lowly paid companion to two elderly aunts she has never met. There is no welcome for Margaret at their gloomy house, Pendarreth, but the surrounding woods bring her solace and unexpected danger.
Mel Haymer is a simple country curate by profession, but his past holds a dark secret. He is quite content to leave the past undisturbed, but then he meets Margaret Winterton, a young lady unlike any other he’s ever known. He can’t deny his feelings for her, but if he surrenders to love, he will bring disaster to his family. Margaret’s coming cracks the fragile shell hiding family tragedies.
This is the third book in the series & I think it’s my favourite so far. These are gentle reads where the characters are developed at the start & those characters make you want to know them better. Margaret is shy & so quiet she rarely speaks but has an inner strength, Mel is gentlemanly & so very likeable, the two eccentric aunts are odd but added to the story. A delightful read & I look forward to Fanny’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Mel Haymer is a simple country curate by profession, but his past holds a dark secret. He is quite content to leave the past undisturbed, but then he meets Margaret Winterton, a young lady unlike any other he’s ever known. He can’t deny his feelings for her, but if he surrenders to love, he will bring disaster to his family. Margaret’s coming cracks the fragile shell hiding family tragedies.
This is the third book in the series & I think it’s my favourite so far. These are gentle reads where the characters are developed at the start & those characters make you want to know them better. Margaret is shy & so quiet she rarely speaks but has an inner strength, Mel is gentlemanly & so very likeable, the two eccentric aunts are odd but added to the story. A delightful read & I look forward to Fanny’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 22, 2020
It was refreshing to have two main characters whose personalities sit far outside of what is considered the norm for these types of novels, however, much of the time, I did find Margaret's affliction to be a bit contrived. Other than that, I feel the characters are generally well written. I will complete this series of books, but I don't think I'll be returning for any more works from this author. I love gothic romance novels, but in my opinion the best ones feature a burning passion between the two main characters to counterbalance all of the doom and gloom. Passion, or rather, believable passion, is sorely lacking in this series. Characters will have completely platonic interactions with each other at length, sometimes for weeks or months on end, then all of a sudden observe a few shy smiles or sparkling eyes and declare themselves in love. There is no build up at all. As for the mysteries, here the author truly falters. The mystery aspect of the story is as sophisticated as an episode of Scooby Doo. I was able to work out much of the secret fairly early on.
May 4, 2019
Too much, too sweet, too long
Another of my guilty pleasures by Mary Kingswood who is an intelligent writer and has done her research into the Regency, but the genre, made famous by Georgette Heyer, and lately by the movie versions of Jane Austen's novels, should be light, bubbly, filled with humor and wit and a wicked uncle or two. Kingswood tries to tell a good story, but needs to aim for a lighter touch. Her protagonists are so serious and so sweetly in love, it's cloying, her villians obvious, and her plotting too long. Having said all that, I still enjoyed the story of how shy, unworldly Margaret manages to find love, riches and her voice. Now for No. 4 in the series.
Another of my guilty pleasures by Mary Kingswood who is an intelligent writer and has done her research into the Regency, but the genre, made famous by Georgette Heyer, and lately by the movie versions of Jane Austen's novels, should be light, bubbly, filled with humor and wit and a wicked uncle or two. Kingswood tries to tell a good story, but needs to aim for a lighter touch. Her protagonists are so serious and so sweetly in love, it's cloying, her villians obvious, and her plotting too long. Having said all that, I still enjoyed the story of how shy, unworldly Margaret manages to find love, riches and her voice. Now for No. 4 in the series.
May 17, 2025
May 2025.
Mel Haymer and Margaret Winterton.
Actually ready the book this time. While I understood the ‘mystery’ and conclusion this time I still didn’t like it. I found the “forbidden” love between M&m to be blown out of proportion until it wasn’t convenient and then everything was okay. Margaret is too frustrating for me. Is she autistic? If she is then I can overlook her odd behavior. Otherwise she needs to grow up. She is 21 years old but acts like a child. The “only person who understands her” (Mel) treats her like a child and thinks her behavior is “adorable”. 🤮 This book has so much going on. I will try to sum it up for my future self.
Margaret is sent to live with her elderly aunts (moms half sisters, Letty and Pru) after left penniless by dead her father. Margaret is mute when she is scared (which is her perpetual state) so she only writes her jumbled thoughts on a chalkboard. Mel is presumably a low born local child that the viscountess Delacrost raised as her own when her own baby died 2 days after birth. She never told her husband until on her deathbed that the baby wasn’t really theirs. By then it was too late to legally disinherit him. The viscount (Delacrost) is angered by this deception and doesn’t want Mel in his life and sends Mel to be raised by the local parson and his wife (the Simpsons). Mel grows up to become the local curate. When Mel comes of age D tells M he will pay his allowance for life and not run his life if M promises to never marry or have heirs so that D’s legitimate son (Mortimer) will inherit when Mel eventually dies. Margaret finds a book in the library that details all the visitors and events at Penerrath for the last 50 years. She finds that Pru and Letty were wild in their youth and that Pru loved the viscount back then. Margaret’s aunt Letty dies a few months later and leaves the house to Margaret if she marries one of her cousins (one of Letty’s grandsons). If she does not marry one of them then the house goes to the Viscount Delacrost. Aunt Pru loses her mind and beats up Margaret.
Margaret’s aunts and cousins show up and try to convince her to marry one of the boys. She doesn’t like any of them but has fallen for Mel. Mel has explained to her why he can never marry but she tells him she is happy just being friends. When the pressure from her cousins becomes too much she runs away to a treehouse in the estate’s woods. m finds a small grave in the woods dated 29 years ago and she decides it is that of a baby of a poor woman. When Mel finds her in her hiding place they decide that she will only be safe from the cousin’s hounding if she is already married and so she and Mel decide to marry. M&m marry but tell no one until M can break it to Delacrost the next day. That night m is kidnapped by Mortimer and William (one of her cousins) with the aim to convince her to marry William- willingly or not. After M’s unsuccessful meeting with D he goes home to find Margaret is missing again. After no luck searching they go back to Penarreth and find the family has no worries for m and M yells at them. When confronted that he has no right to be concerned for m he produces the marriage lines to them and they are all shocked. Another cousin, Walter (William’s brother) tells M that he knows William and Mortimer has kidnapped her and taken her back to the Delacrost estate (Norton Forbury). M rides to NF and confronts Mortimer about the abduction. The viscount is angry that his son has done such a thing and commands that he tell them where Margaret is. They rescue m and she and M go back to Penarreth with the viscount in tow. The viscount suddenly changes his tune about M and is all amiable to him and m. (Not sure why.) While they are in the study to look over the estate accounts m finds her Aunt Selina (William and Walter’s mom) bludgeoned to death. The mystery is solved when they realize that Selina had talked of visiting Penarreth 29 years ago when only aunt Pru lived there “to recover from nerves”. Margaret had found a grave in the woods with the name Melville Matthew on it- the same name and birth dates as her Mel. The viscount hears this and realizes that Mel is actually his and Selina’s natural son. Aunt Pru hears them realizing all this and tells them it was Mel’s right to be the heir of Penarreth and the viscountcy. She reveals that a baby she had by Delacrost died and his name was Matthew (the same name as the viscounts). When the viscountess had a son and named him the same name Pru was incensed and it is implied she killed the viscountess’ baby. To replace the dead baby (and deceive Delacrost) Pru brought Selina’s baby to the viscountess to raise as her own. With his marriage to Margaret, Mel is now the owner of Penarreth and as the son of the viscount, Norton Forbury. She seems to mix up in her mind that Mel is her son and that her revenge upon Viscount Delacrost is complete with Mel in his rightful place as heir to both estates. She then kills herself. Everyone else gets their HEA. 😳
2022 Audiobook.
My notes to remember:
Story about Margaret (the companion to elderly aunts on her mother’s side) and Mel (the local curate). Margaret doesn’t talk and won’t write her sisters (even though their worried about her). Mel dotes on every little thing Margaret says and does. It gets a little annoying. Margaret cries a lot and won’t talk so she uses a slate to communicate. I don’t know what’s wrong with her but it would be annoying if I had to spend any time with her. The neighbor Count changes his personality mid book so that’s confusing. There are so many characters that I had to keep referring to a family tree that Kingswood had in one of her books. The mystery in this book confused me even when the characters solved it. I listed to the audiobook read by Joanna Stephens. I’m so glad the lawyers weren’t in this book. She does the most annoying voice for one of them.
Mel Haymer and Margaret Winterton.
Actually ready the book this time. While I understood the ‘mystery’ and conclusion this time I still didn’t like it. I found the “forbidden” love between M&m to be blown out of proportion until it wasn’t convenient and then everything was okay. Margaret is too frustrating for me. Is she autistic? If she is then I can overlook her odd behavior. Otherwise she needs to grow up. She is 21 years old but acts like a child. The “only person who understands her” (Mel) treats her like a child and thinks her behavior is “adorable”. 🤮 This book has so much going on. I will try to sum it up for my future self.
Margaret is sent to live with her elderly aunts (moms half sisters, Letty and Pru) after left penniless by dead her father. Margaret is mute when she is scared (which is her perpetual state) so she only writes her jumbled thoughts on a chalkboard. Mel is presumably a low born local child that the viscountess Delacrost raised as her own when her own baby died 2 days after birth. She never told her husband until on her deathbed that the baby wasn’t really theirs. By then it was too late to legally disinherit him. The viscount (Delacrost) is angered by this deception and doesn’t want Mel in his life and sends Mel to be raised by the local parson and his wife (the Simpsons). Mel grows up to become the local curate. When Mel comes of age D tells M he will pay his allowance for life and not run his life if M promises to never marry or have heirs so that D’s legitimate son (Mortimer) will inherit when Mel eventually dies. Margaret finds a book in the library that details all the visitors and events at Penerrath for the last 50 years. She finds that Pru and Letty were wild in their youth and that Pru loved the viscount back then. Margaret’s aunt Letty dies a few months later and leaves the house to Margaret if she marries one of her cousins (one of Letty’s grandsons). If she does not marry one of them then the house goes to the Viscount Delacrost. Aunt Pru loses her mind and beats up Margaret.
Margaret’s aunts and cousins show up and try to convince her to marry one of the boys. She doesn’t like any of them but has fallen for Mel. Mel has explained to her why he can never marry but she tells him she is happy just being friends. When the pressure from her cousins becomes too much she runs away to a treehouse in the estate’s woods. m finds a small grave in the woods dated 29 years ago and she decides it is that of a baby of a poor woman. When Mel finds her in her hiding place they decide that she will only be safe from the cousin’s hounding if she is already married and so she and Mel decide to marry. M&m marry but tell no one until M can break it to Delacrost the next day. That night m is kidnapped by Mortimer and William (one of her cousins) with the aim to convince her to marry William- willingly or not. After M’s unsuccessful meeting with D he goes home to find Margaret is missing again. After no luck searching they go back to Penarreth and find the family has no worries for m and M yells at them. When confronted that he has no right to be concerned for m he produces the marriage lines to them and they are all shocked. Another cousin, Walter (William’s brother) tells M that he knows William and Mortimer has kidnapped her and taken her back to the Delacrost estate (Norton Forbury). M rides to NF and confronts Mortimer about the abduction. The viscount is angry that his son has done such a thing and commands that he tell them where Margaret is. They rescue m and she and M go back to Penarreth with the viscount in tow. The viscount suddenly changes his tune about M and is all amiable to him and m. (Not sure why.) While they are in the study to look over the estate accounts m finds her Aunt Selina (William and Walter’s mom) bludgeoned to death. The mystery is solved when they realize that Selina had talked of visiting Penarreth 29 years ago when only aunt Pru lived there “to recover from nerves”. Margaret had found a grave in the woods with the name Melville Matthew on it- the same name and birth dates as her Mel. The viscount hears this and realizes that Mel is actually his and Selina’s natural son. Aunt Pru hears them realizing all this and tells them it was Mel’s right to be the heir of Penarreth and the viscountcy. She reveals that a baby she had by Delacrost died and his name was Matthew (the same name as the viscounts). When the viscountess had a son and named him the same name Pru was incensed and it is implied she killed the viscountess’ baby. To replace the dead baby (and deceive Delacrost) Pru brought Selina’s baby to the viscountess to raise as her own. With his marriage to Margaret, Mel is now the owner of Penarreth and as the son of the viscount, Norton Forbury. She seems to mix up in her mind that Mel is her son and that her revenge upon Viscount Delacrost is complete with Mel in his rightful place as heir to both estates. She then kills herself. Everyone else gets their HEA. 😳
2022 Audiobook.
My notes to remember:
Story about Margaret (the companion to elderly aunts on her mother’s side) and Mel (the local curate). Margaret doesn’t talk and won’t write her sisters (even though their worried about her). Mel dotes on every little thing Margaret says and does. It gets a little annoying. Margaret cries a lot and won’t talk so she uses a slate to communicate. I don’t know what’s wrong with her but it would be annoying if I had to spend any time with her. The neighbor Count changes his personality mid book so that’s confusing. There are so many characters that I had to keep referring to a family tree that Kingswood had in one of her books. The mystery in this book confused me even when the characters solved it. I listed to the audiobook read by Joanna Stephens. I’m so glad the lawyers weren’t in this book. She does the most annoying voice for one of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2024
When all else fails, Mary Kingswood can always bring me back. Totally one of my comfort authors. Nothing grandiose but very comforting like a hot cup of chocolate.
October 5, 2025
Each novel in this series is even better than the last and I kept thinking the next book couldn’t top the previous one! This author is a must for those who are fans of Jane Austin and Georgette Heyer!
May 23, 2019
Least favorite so far.
I have now completed three of the stories of the Winterton sisters. My favorite thus far is The Governess. I found Annabelle to be believable and delightful, as was her suitor, the earl. I also enjoyed the story of Lucy and Mr. Audley. I like Mary Kingwood's writing very much, so I couldn't wait to read The Companion. While I definitely do not want to discourage anyone from reading it, I found that the storyline at times challenged my usual willingness to see characters depicted in rather incredible circumstances. Margaret was a mysterious contradiction! She could speak, then she couldn't speak, she could write, then she couldn't write! She was shy and withdrawn to the point of being easily overlooked, yet she offers herself as the mistress to a minister, no less! Maybe it's just me, but I was ready to move on the The Seamstress....And so I shall!
I have now completed three of the stories of the Winterton sisters. My favorite thus far is The Governess. I found Annabelle to be believable and delightful, as was her suitor, the earl. I also enjoyed the story of Lucy and Mr. Audley. I like Mary Kingwood's writing very much, so I couldn't wait to read The Companion. While I definitely do not want to discourage anyone from reading it, I found that the storyline at times challenged my usual willingness to see characters depicted in rather incredible circumstances. Margaret was a mysterious contradiction! She could speak, then she couldn't speak, she could write, then she couldn't write! She was shy and withdrawn to the point of being easily overlooked, yet she offers herself as the mistress to a minister, no less! Maybe it's just me, but I was ready to move on the The Seamstress....And so I shall!
January 10, 2023
I don't know what happened to my review of this book back when I originally listened to the audio version. I did, thankfully, make a note of my 4 Star rating on my spreadsheet that I keep for books read yearly.
The Companion was so interesting. I don't remember any of the previous two books explaining Margaret's condition of struggling to speak in any detail. The sisters simply mentioned that she didn't talk much. Margaret's mind works just fine, but getting the words in her head to come out of her mouth seems to be a struggle. She can write fluidly, except when trying to write letters to her sisters to let them know how she's doing. I sometimes wondered if that was a plot hole because she could write in conversation to those she needed to when present, but struggled to put her thoughts to paper when trying to write to her sisters.
Margaret has taken up the position of Companion to her two elderly aunts now that her father has died and left the sister's penniless. She has one aunt that is sickly but manages to run the estate just fine as her mental faculties are there. She's rude and harsh though. The other aunt seems perhaps mentally unwell. Meek is the initial impression. Margaret befriends the local curate and the two begin to spend more and more time together. Their friendship turns into more, yet they can't marry for multiple reasons.
I want to say much more about the plot, but those aspects would be spoilers. And I don't remember what's what entirely since this about a year after reading that I'm even putting any sort of review together. I do remember liking the entire story and all of the pieces of the multiple puzzles going on. Sometimes Margaret got on my nerves, but I think mostly that was due to how different she and I are.
I can't wait to finish this series, but I put the rest of the books aside for a while because I don't have much opportunity to listen to audiobooks in my current stage of life, unlike when I listened to the Compaion and was driving much greater distances every day. Regardless, I did mark that I wanted to rate this book 4 Stars. Have you read/listened to The Companion? What did you think? Let me know!
The Companion was so interesting. I don't remember any of the previous two books explaining Margaret's condition of struggling to speak in any detail. The sisters simply mentioned that she didn't talk much. Margaret's mind works just fine, but getting the words in her head to come out of her mouth seems to be a struggle. She can write fluidly, except when trying to write letters to her sisters to let them know how she's doing. I sometimes wondered if that was a plot hole because she could write in conversation to those she needed to when present, but struggled to put her thoughts to paper when trying to write to her sisters.
Margaret has taken up the position of Companion to her two elderly aunts now that her father has died and left the sister's penniless. She has one aunt that is sickly but manages to run the estate just fine as her mental faculties are there. She's rude and harsh though. The other aunt seems perhaps mentally unwell. Meek is the initial impression. Margaret befriends the local curate and the two begin to spend more and more time together. Their friendship turns into more, yet they can't marry for multiple reasons.
I want to say much more about the plot, but those aspects would be spoilers. And I don't remember what's what entirely since this about a year after reading that I'm even putting any sort of review together. I do remember liking the entire story and all of the pieces of the multiple puzzles going on. Sometimes Margaret got on my nerves, but I think mostly that was due to how different she and I are.
I can't wait to finish this series, but I put the rest of the books aside for a while because I don't have much opportunity to listen to audiobooks in my current stage of life, unlike when I listened to the Compaion and was driving much greater distances every day. Regardless, I did mark that I wanted to rate this book 4 Stars. Have you read/listened to The Companion? What did you think? Let me know!
January 29, 2019
Romance, mystery, engrossing page turner!
This is the third book in this series that I have read. I, of course, had to read it for it is about one of four sisters who were left destitute by their dead father and forced to find employment for themselves. This particular story is about Margaret who went to be a companion to her aunt Letty who was unable to leave her room. Another aunt, Pru, lived their also but could not continue to take care of her sister and the house both. Much mystery surrounded Margaret and her two aunts. But many twists and turns to this story make it an engrossing page turner. There is an HEA here but the getting there is very complicated and at times suspenseful. I particularly enjoyed the delightful romance between Margaret and the local curate, Mel. As it turns out, there is much more to Mel’s story as well which adds depth to his character. Margaret is a wonder! So shy and has difficulty transferring the words from her brain to her tongue. But she has no difficulty writing so she uses a small chalkboard to write what she needs to say. So many more things I could say about this book which I enjoyed so thoroughly. Suffice it for me to say that I highly recommended this book to all. It is a clean historical romance and mystery rolled into one but so much more. I’m greatly looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
This is the third book in this series that I have read. I, of course, had to read it for it is about one of four sisters who were left destitute by their dead father and forced to find employment for themselves. This particular story is about Margaret who went to be a companion to her aunt Letty who was unable to leave her room. Another aunt, Pru, lived their also but could not continue to take care of her sister and the house both. Much mystery surrounded Margaret and her two aunts. But many twists and turns to this story make it an engrossing page turner. There is an HEA here but the getting there is very complicated and at times suspenseful. I particularly enjoyed the delightful romance between Margaret and the local curate, Mel. As it turns out, there is much more to Mel’s story as well which adds depth to his character. Margaret is a wonder! So shy and has difficulty transferring the words from her brain to her tongue. But she has no difficulty writing so she uses a small chalkboard to write what she needs to say. So many more things I could say about this book which I enjoyed so thoroughly. Suffice it for me to say that I highly recommended this book to all. It is a clean historical romance and mystery rolled into one but so much more. I’m greatly looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
April 5, 2023
Margaret Winterton is more than shy. She's either on the autism scale, or she's somewhat psycho-neurologically impaired. She's unable to speak in most circumstances; the words just won't come out of her mouth. Nor is she very good at writing letters, which causes a great deal of consternation among her four sisters. They were all left destitute upon the death of their father and, except for their eldest sister who was already married, forced to seek employment. Margaret ended up in Shropshire with two aunts she had never met.
Mel Haymer is a local curate who knows that he was conceived out of wedlock, but due to legal matters, he is secretly the heir to Lord Delacrost. His gentle manner and compassionate understanding of Margaret make him an endearing character. In a sea of odd behavior surrounding her, he is Margaret's rudder.
There is a mystery to be solved, and it is about Mel's parentage. It leads to another somewhat gothic ending, which characterized the other books in this series. I love Mary Kingswood's books. They are well-researched and well-written, and they are filled with a host of interesting secondary characters. My only reservation about this book is 4.5 stars rounded up
Mel Haymer is a local curate who knows that he was conceived out of wedlock, but due to legal matters, he is secretly the heir to Lord Delacrost. His gentle manner and compassionate understanding of Margaret make him an endearing character. In a sea of odd behavior surrounding her, he is Margaret's rudder.
There is a mystery to be solved, and it is about Mel's parentage. It leads to another somewhat gothic ending, which characterized the other books in this series. I love Mary Kingswood's books. They are well-researched and well-written, and they are filled with a host of interesting secondary characters. My only reservation about this book is 4.5 stars rounded up
November 19, 2018
Okay, I received an ARC of this book and happily started reading, then I stopped because I hadn’t read books 1 and 2. You don’t have to read them in order, but it enhances the stories. That said, I purchased book 1 - The Governess, and read it in one night/morning finishing at 1:30 am. Then I HAD to get book 2 - The Companion and spend another late night. Finally, I was ready for this one. I like these sisters and their care for each other. They are good and interesting people, I mean characters and they make the best of the opportunities given them. I enjoy Mary Kingswood’s writing style and am looking forward to the final 2 books of this series. With that said, unlike some of the other reviewers, I had no problem understanding Margaret’s trouble with speech because I have had similar trials. What I didn’t appreciate was that we never learned what was the trigger, just what helped her overcome it. Also, without giving spoilers, Mel’s “bad guy” seemed to reform a bit too quickly.
Enjoyed the story, and moved the family along, but this one was a solid 4 stars. I am still looking forward to the final 2 books.
Enjoyed the story, and moved the family along, but this one was a solid 4 stars. I am still looking forward to the final 2 books.
November 28, 2018
Well done, book 3
The second book in the series, Lucy’s story, may have been a bit of a let down but shy Margaret’s story was a return to the engaging, well-paced storytelling of the first novel which I enjoyed very much.
Margaret is truly a unique character. She is painfully shy and outwardly withdrawn but behind that reserved facade is a very strong willed woman. Those two dominant characteristics never waver throughout the length of the story. Mel, our hero, is s good match for her and his character is wonderfully drawn. The romantic chemistry between them is believable and I found myself rooting for them.
There are actually two mysteries in this novel and both are resolved believably. The resolution to Mel’s parentage was a bit convoluted but managed enough so that it was believable. The author also does a wonderful job of creating secondary characters that are interesting and important to the story well beyond just being window dressing.
Bottom line: The Companion is a solid entry in a very good series.
The second book in the series, Lucy’s story, may have been a bit of a let down but shy Margaret’s story was a return to the engaging, well-paced storytelling of the first novel which I enjoyed very much.
Margaret is truly a unique character. She is painfully shy and outwardly withdrawn but behind that reserved facade is a very strong willed woman. Those two dominant characteristics never waver throughout the length of the story. Mel, our hero, is s good match for her and his character is wonderfully drawn. The romantic chemistry between them is believable and I found myself rooting for them.
There are actually two mysteries in this novel and both are resolved believably. The resolution to Mel’s parentage was a bit convoluted but managed enough so that it was believable. The author also does a wonderful job of creating secondary characters that are interesting and important to the story well beyond just being window dressing.
Bottom line: The Companion is a solid entry in a very good series.
October 29, 2024
[This review is meant to be a note for self, and is subjective]
Margaret is not my favorite sister of them all and I had to fought a lot of urges to dropped the book because I couldn't stand her character. It was frustrating to read her and her problems with speaking around such society. The early chapters was good, however, and it kept me up at night, but somewhere in the middle it was getting harder for me to read it. Though I don't like her character, but I appreciate the uniqueness of her, one that you hardly find in other regency novels.
I had thought she was going to get the most smooth story line but it turned out her story is the most dramatic. If you enjoy romances with more drama, then you'd probably like this book among the series. The mysteries are very intriguing. Of course, I still appreciate the writing and the very closeness to historical settings as it could be.
Margaret is not my favorite sister of them all and I had to fought a lot of urges to dropped the book because I couldn't stand her character. It was frustrating to read her and her problems with speaking around such society. The early chapters was good, however, and it kept me up at night, but somewhere in the middle it was getting harder for me to read it. Though I don't like her character, but I appreciate the uniqueness of her, one that you hardly find in other regency novels.
I had thought she was going to get the most smooth story line but it turned out her story is the most dramatic. If you enjoy romances with more drama, then you'd probably like this book among the series. The mysteries are very intriguing. Of course, I still appreciate the writing and the very closeness to historical settings as it could be.
July 18, 2019
This is Margaret's story. The youngest of the 5 Winterton sisters born before Jeremy, who drowned at sea when he was 12. She was sent to Cornwall to be a companion to her two Tilford aunts on her mother's side of the family and of particular help to Aunt Letty as her amanuensis. Queer going~ons at Pendarreth where there were no male servants and Margaret's correspondence with her sisters were all opened and read before they even reached her and before these were even sent to them. Was she a prisoner? Plus there was also Margaret's inability to articulate her thoughts so she seldom spoke and answer mostly in monosyllables. One can truly experience and relate to Margaret's frustrations re~her speech disability which Mel believed to be childhood~related plus the conflicts, drama, mystery, family secrets, bloodlines and issues of inheritance and of course, romance in this book.
June 24, 2023
Romance and Insanity
Impoverished Lady Margaret was forced to lived with two maiden aunts who were not of sound mind, and Aunt Letty wasn’t of sound body either. She assisted them as much as possible, finding little joy in their presence, but enjoyed the friendship of the local curate.
Melville Haymer was officially the heir to a local viscount, but due to less that honorable circumstance of birth, Mel promised never to marry so the Viscount’s natural born son could inherit. How unfortunate now that he has found a woman to love, as Margaret is like no other.
This is a well done book that is a bit dramatic and sad at times, but has a HEA.
Impoverished Lady Margaret was forced to lived with two maiden aunts who were not of sound mind, and Aunt Letty wasn’t of sound body either. She assisted them as much as possible, finding little joy in their presence, but enjoyed the friendship of the local curate.
Melville Haymer was officially the heir to a local viscount, but due to less that honorable circumstance of birth, Mel promised never to marry so the Viscount’s natural born son could inherit. How unfortunate now that he has found a woman to love, as Margaret is like no other.
This is a well done book that is a bit dramatic and sad at times, but has a HEA.
November 13, 2018
Just finished a pre-released copy of The Companion. Wonderful story of people who want to do the right thing at the time that ultimately causes all kinds of problems later. I really loved the development of the characters. From a shy sister with internal strength to two old eccentric aunts to a very gentlemanly curate, I wanted to know them better. I think this is the best so far. Little connections to other stories (books) added to the enjoyment. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 9, 2019
How Exciting!
Poor silent, broken child! So unable to speak not only to strangers but even to get family. Now destitute and shipped off to live with elderly aunts that she has never met. Bequeathed in a will to win property of she marries a grandson of the deceased aunt. Otherwise the property is to go to a greedy viscount. She meets a kind clergyman who overlooks her inability to speak and he discovers her bright mind. He helps bring her out of her withdrawn she'll and they fall in love.
Poor silent, broken child! So unable to speak not only to strangers but even to get family. Now destitute and shipped off to live with elderly aunts that she has never met. Bequeathed in a will to win property of she marries a grandson of the deceased aunt. Otherwise the property is to go to a greedy viscount. She meets a kind clergyman who overlooks her inability to speak and he discovers her bright mind. He helps bring her out of her withdrawn she'll and they fall in love.
March 28, 2020
A Frustrating Read!
This is a story about a young woman who her entire life had never had the burden of speaking for herself. Her family did it for her which ended up crippling her. As a reader we are put in the frustrating position of wanting to scream at times because of her lack of ability to step up. The only exception to that was when she got angry.
Along comes Mel and we have our love interest enabler! But...all ends well with them.
It was not an easy read for me but I love the author and will continue to read her books.
This is a story about a young woman who her entire life had never had the burden of speaking for herself. Her family did it for her which ended up crippling her. As a reader we are put in the frustrating position of wanting to scream at times because of her lack of ability to step up. The only exception to that was when she got angry.
Along comes Mel and we have our love interest enabler! But...all ends well with them.
It was not an easy read for me but I love the author and will continue to read her books.
February 10, 2022
Okay Regency romance with gothic trimmings. The hero and heroine were pretty bland and the ending was bonkers. Not as good as the first book in the series (The Governess but better than the second The Chaperon.
November 10, 2018
Excellent story, which makes you want to read all the books in the series.
Margaret is a quiet person who finds talking so difficult that she is almost mute.
The book starts slowly, allowing the reader to get a feel for all the characters.
And then hints of Georgette Heyer novels appear (e.g. restorative pork jelly, but also the other side of Heyer later in the book).
The author kindly provided a free review copy, but it is well worth purchasing.
Margaret is a quiet person who finds talking so difficult that she is almost mute.
The book starts slowly, allowing the reader to get a feel for all the characters.
And then hints of Georgette Heyer novels appear (e.g. restorative pork jelly, but also the other side of Heyer later in the book).
The author kindly provided a free review copy, but it is well worth purchasing.
May 18, 2021
Again, charming and very likeable protagonists. The identity of Mel's mother I guessed as soon as there was talk at aunt Letty's funeral, so - not so much of a mystery. The murderer was also obvious and the final confrontation very cliché and too dramatic for my taste. The romance is, however, a pleasant and innocent and very satisfying affair. A heroine with selective mutism is something new. Overall a good quality read. 3,5 stars
January 29, 2026
I am absolutely immersed in this book and the entire series…. Although, sometimes the timelines don’t make much sense to me at all. Like, when X have their baby and yet, it’s like 11 more years and X has theirs yet- when you start hearing ghe full story, it doesn’t seem like the numbers make sense. Otherwise, if you don’t try to think of the logistics, it’s a very interesting story that keeps you wanting to just not stop until you’ve discovered all the secrets.
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