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Stranger within the Gates
"Love is a time of in it all days are fair and all fields green. Youth is blest by it, old age made the eyes of love see roses blooming in December, and sunshine through rain. Verily is the time of true-love a time of enchantment — and Oh! how eager is woman to be."
When Robert Develyn inherited a Kentish estate, he looked to spend his life in rural peace.
However, the inheritance carried with it a complication within his gates, that of ‘ageing spinster’ Francesca Thornish, and Robert found himself under a moral obligation to keep a protective eye on that very independent lady. When, in addition, the safety of the black colt, Merlin, was threatened, Robert found that his placid existence was at an end — and that he infinitely preferred the new order of things.
Mira Stables is the author of many historical fiction novels, including The Byram Succession , The Swynden Necklace , and Golden Barrier .
When Robert Develyn inherited a Kentish estate, he looked to spend his life in rural peace.
However, the inheritance carried with it a complication within his gates, that of ‘ageing spinster’ Francesca Thornish, and Robert found himself under a moral obligation to keep a protective eye on that very independent lady. When, in addition, the safety of the black colt, Merlin, was threatened, Robert found that his placid existence was at an end — and that he infinitely preferred the new order of things.
Mira Stables is the author of many historical fiction novels, including The Byram Succession , The Swynden Necklace , and Golden Barrier .
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2016
2.5stars
I was excited to begin reading another book by Mira Stables. Her paperbacks are hard to find locally and some are very costly on Amazon. None are available in e-format that I know of.
I had expected engaging characters similar to those people in High Garth. The story boasted a strong spinster heroine -29 years old- with a keen sense of smartness; Miss Francesca Thornish was gifted a cottage and some animals by an elderly champion whom happened to be the hero's deceased uncle.
First off, it was listed as a Regency but the closest date I could determine was prior to Victoria's ascent. Prinny and his time period were never mentioned. The hero, Mr. Robert Develyn, was -gasp!- a divorced man. His marriage of three years ended because his wife had fallen in love with another man and wanted to marry him. As an afterthought, Robert never loved the woman but thought she was beautiful. At some point, she passed away.
They had a daughter, Robin, that he allowed his former mother-in-law to raise while he roamed archaeological sites in Greece, Egypt and South America and wrote various papers. At the opening of the story he was almost 40, had inherited an estate from the above mentioned bachelor-uncle and intended to raise Robin. She was now eleven years old.
Maybe it was just me but I had a difficult time following the story. I thought the introduction of Robin was clearly a plot device. She was mentioned quite a bit at the beginning but then her character vanished; it was almost the end before she was brought up again.
I thought Robert's divorce was too easily accepted.
'In 1857 an Act of Parliament first introduced the possibility of being granted a divorce in a civil court in England and Wales, before 1857 a divorce could only be granted by a private Act of Parliament. Even after 1857 a divorce was expensive and out of the range of ordinary working people.'
I'm not even sure he would have been able to remarry sometime in the future and I know a divorce was considered scandalous and very expensive. He was never referred to as a nobleman until after his inheritance.
For the first two/thirds of the book, Robert and Francesca tootled along. They were suspicious but saw each other on occasion. Both were busy with various responsibilities. Eventually they had an excuse to visit London and spend some time together. Suddenly, Francesca had a epiphany and realized she loved Robert. It took him a while longer to acknowledge his feelings.
There was the mention of Francesca's horse, Merlin, and the present Earl of Finmore that took up most of the last quarter of the story. It also included the explanation of some secondary characters. Though I am not rewarding this light romance very high marks, I believe it would have been better if it was a full-length novel. And I would consider reading another story by this writer.
I was excited to begin reading another book by Mira Stables. Her paperbacks are hard to find locally and some are very costly on Amazon. None are available in e-format that I know of.
I had expected engaging characters similar to those people in High Garth. The story boasted a strong spinster heroine -29 years old- with a keen sense of smartness; Miss Francesca Thornish was gifted a cottage and some animals by an elderly champion whom happened to be the hero's deceased uncle.
First off, it was listed as a Regency but the closest date I could determine was prior to Victoria's ascent. Prinny and his time period were never mentioned. The hero, Mr. Robert Develyn, was -gasp!- a divorced man. His marriage of three years ended because his wife had fallen in love with another man and wanted to marry him. As an afterthought, Robert never loved the woman but thought she was beautiful. At some point, she passed away.
They had a daughter, Robin, that he allowed his former mother-in-law to raise while he roamed archaeological sites in Greece, Egypt and South America and wrote various papers. At the opening of the story he was almost 40, had inherited an estate from the above mentioned bachelor-uncle and intended to raise Robin. She was now eleven years old.
Maybe it was just me but I had a difficult time following the story. I thought the introduction of Robin was clearly a plot device. She was mentioned quite a bit at the beginning but then her character vanished; it was almost the end before she was brought up again.
I thought Robert's divorce was too easily accepted.
'In 1857 an Act of Parliament first introduced the possibility of being granted a divorce in a civil court in England and Wales, before 1857 a divorce could only be granted by a private Act of Parliament. Even after 1857 a divorce was expensive and out of the range of ordinary working people.'
I'm not even sure he would have been able to remarry sometime in the future and I know a divorce was considered scandalous and very expensive. He was never referred to as a nobleman until after his inheritance.
For the first two/thirds of the book, Robert and Francesca tootled along. They were suspicious but saw each other on occasion. Both were busy with various responsibilities. Eventually they had an excuse to visit London and spend some time together. Suddenly, Francesca had a epiphany and realized she loved Robert. It took him a while longer to acknowledge his feelings.
There was the mention of Francesca's horse, Merlin, and the present Earl of Finmore that took up most of the last quarter of the story. It also included the explanation of some secondary characters. Though I am not rewarding this light romance very high marks, I believe it would have been better if it was a full-length novel. And I would consider reading another story by this writer.
December 28, 2022
A charming story. This story does ask you to suspend your beliefs quite a bit (okay, more than a bit).
- Robert was divorced when divorce was nearly impossible and expensive (it still is!) to achieve.
- Francesca strode around wearing breeches, and the villagers didn't shun her. To my knowledge, village people are more prejudiced against the out-of-ordinary than the city dwellers.
- Francesca lived with the old earl without the benefit of marriage, and everyone seemed to accept their relationship as a father and daughter.
I was surprised at how anachronistic the story considering this was written in the 70s. Nevertheless, this was a fine read. I thought Robert and Francesca's relationship trajectory was very organic. They started pretty antagonistic towards each other, then friends, and it became more than that over time as they interacted more. The mystery element was quite well done, too.
Steam factor: Nil. This one is a clean romance.
- Robert was divorced when divorce was nearly impossible and expensive (it still is!) to achieve.
- Francesca strode around wearing breeches, and the villagers didn't shun her. To my knowledge, village people are more prejudiced against the out-of-ordinary than the city dwellers.
- Francesca lived with the old earl without the benefit of marriage, and everyone seemed to accept their relationship as a father and daughter.
I was surprised at how anachronistic the story considering this was written in the 70s. Nevertheless, this was a fine read. I thought Robert and Francesca's relationship trajectory was very organic. They started pretty antagonistic towards each other, then friends, and it became more than that over time as they interacted more. The mystery element was quite well done, too.
Steam factor: Nil. This one is a clean romance.
August 6, 2019
This was a very pleasant surprise. It’s an old book, previously released in 1976, and now available in ebook form, so it’s very much old school. That means it’s pretty wordy with not a huge amount of action and the characters conform to the expectations of the day - the hero is a domineering rake and the heroine is delightfully feminine and demure… no, wait. These two are nothing like that at all, both being intelligent and mature, and thank goodness for a story about an older-than-average couple.
Robert Develyn married badly and went off adventuring in foreign parts when his wife ran off with someone else. Now she’s dead and at the age of forty, he’s returned to England to settle into rural retirement and raise his young daughter. He’s been left an estate in Kent, but he hasn’t seen it or its previous owner for donkey’s years and he finds that a few things have changed.
For one thing, there’s a new house just inside the gates, inhabited by the household of one Miss Francesca Thornish, past the age of looking for a suitor and eccentric enough to enjoy dressing up in men’s clothes when she feels like it. She is thus when Robert first encounters her. He thinks she’s an idle gatekeeper, and she thinks he’s excessively rude, and so they get off on quite the wrong foot.
But the rest of the book chronicles their slow progress towards grudging respect, tolerance, liking and eventually love. This is, to my mind, quite the best kind of romance, and there’s no silliness, no misunderstandings, just two sensible people, set in their ways, slowly coming to realise that their lives have utterly changed.
Both characters are interesting, but Francesca is fascinating. She’s something I thought was impossible - a Regency heroine who has all the independence of spirit of a modern woman yet is completely true to her era. When she does put on a pretty gown and become the lady of society, the effect is heightened by knowing what she’s like the rest of the time. She’s a pattern-card of respectability only when and if she chooses to be, and nobody forces her to do anything she doesn’t want to do. And while we’re on the subject of characters, a round of applause for the deceased Earl of Finmore, the previous owner of Robert’s new estate and Francesca’s protector, who (despite being dead) is one of the liveliest characters in the book.
The end is complicated by some contrived business with the horse and a not very plausible villain, but by this point it didn’t matter. This is a lovely, old-fashioned Regency that I highly recommend. Five stars.
Robert Develyn married badly and went off adventuring in foreign parts when his wife ran off with someone else. Now she’s dead and at the age of forty, he’s returned to England to settle into rural retirement and raise his young daughter. He’s been left an estate in Kent, but he hasn’t seen it or its previous owner for donkey’s years and he finds that a few things have changed.
For one thing, there’s a new house just inside the gates, inhabited by the household of one Miss Francesca Thornish, past the age of looking for a suitor and eccentric enough to enjoy dressing up in men’s clothes when she feels like it. She is thus when Robert first encounters her. He thinks she’s an idle gatekeeper, and she thinks he’s excessively rude, and so they get off on quite the wrong foot.
But the rest of the book chronicles their slow progress towards grudging respect, tolerance, liking and eventually love. This is, to my mind, quite the best kind of romance, and there’s no silliness, no misunderstandings, just two sensible people, set in their ways, slowly coming to realise that their lives have utterly changed.
Both characters are interesting, but Francesca is fascinating. She’s something I thought was impossible - a Regency heroine who has all the independence of spirit of a modern woman yet is completely true to her era. When she does put on a pretty gown and become the lady of society, the effect is heightened by knowing what she’s like the rest of the time. She’s a pattern-card of respectability only when and if she chooses to be, and nobody forces her to do anything she doesn’t want to do. And while we’re on the subject of characters, a round of applause for the deceased Earl of Finmore, the previous owner of Robert’s new estate and Francesca’s protector, who (despite being dead) is one of the liveliest characters in the book.
The end is complicated by some contrived business with the horse and a not very plausible villain, but by this point it didn’t matter. This is a lovely, old-fashioned Regency that I highly recommend. Five stars.
June 7, 2017
4.50 stars - pg13
[From back cover of the book: "'Would it be asking too much of you to stir your stumps, you idle whelp?' shouted Mr. Develyn. 'That is the second time that I have rung for admittance and I am in no mind to wait any longer upon your pleasure.' .... 'And I am in no mind to open my gates to any ill-bred lout who has not even the manners to ask it pleasantly,' responded the boy. .... Only it wasn't a boy. It was Francesca Thornish, walking about in male attire and quite the loveliest young lady Mr. Develyn had ever seen."]
Nice non-typical regency romance between mature, unique, straight-shooting and older Hero(40) and heroine(29). Funny first (and subsequent) interactions between H and h. Sweet romance slowly grows from wary respect to friendship to love. No big misunderstandings or melodramas. Story slowly and gently rolls along with occasional fun bits and a nasty villain. Secondary characters were well written, including Hero's deceased uncle whom I loved!
The Hero returns to England from years of reckless and dangerous exploits in far parts of the world, ready to slow down, live more quietly, and raise his young, motherless, daughter. He inherits an estate from his wealthy uncle (quite a character and a rake in his day!) who he had not seen for over twenty five years. He finds a letter written to him by his uncle before he died, and it starts out "So you've survived to inherit? Surprising!! Nevertheless, my felicitations. .... I half expected you to pre-decease me. That would have put me to some inconvenience .... Permit me to express my thanks to you for having the decency to outlast me and to acknowledge that there were times when it seemed doubtful. .... And now you're wondering what maggot got into my brain to cause me to leave (the estate) to you." I loved the Hero in this story, but I think I secretly loved the uncle even more.
[From back cover of the book: "'Would it be asking too much of you to stir your stumps, you idle whelp?' shouted Mr. Develyn. 'That is the second time that I have rung for admittance and I am in no mind to wait any longer upon your pleasure.' .... 'And I am in no mind to open my gates to any ill-bred lout who has not even the manners to ask it pleasantly,' responded the boy. .... Only it wasn't a boy. It was Francesca Thornish, walking about in male attire and quite the loveliest young lady Mr. Develyn had ever seen."]
Nice non-typical regency romance between mature, unique, straight-shooting and older Hero(40) and heroine(29). Funny first (and subsequent) interactions between H and h. Sweet romance slowly grows from wary respect to friendship to love. No big misunderstandings or melodramas. Story slowly and gently rolls along with occasional fun bits and a nasty villain. Secondary characters were well written, including Hero's deceased uncle whom I loved!
The Hero returns to England from years of reckless and dangerous exploits in far parts of the world, ready to slow down, live more quietly, and raise his young, motherless, daughter. He inherits an estate from his wealthy uncle (quite a character and a rake in his day!) who he had not seen for over twenty five years. He finds a letter written to him by his uncle before he died, and it starts out "So you've survived to inherit? Surprising!! Nevertheless, my felicitations. .... I half expected you to pre-decease me. That would have put me to some inconvenience .... Permit me to express my thanks to you for having the decency to outlast me and to acknowledge that there were times when it seemed doubtful. .... And now you're wondering what maggot got into my brain to cause me to leave (the estate) to you." I loved the Hero in this story, but I think I secretly loved the uncle even more.
September 20, 2023
This was quite a lovely romance. The hero and heroine are likable and human and their enemies to lovers romance believable and satisfying. Things that brought it down in stars for me: the hero’s and heroine’s separate perspectives not adding up in unrealistic ways beyond simple jealousy or lack of experience; plot choices that really slogged the pacing near the end; and an ending that, while satisfying, was marred by some excessively sappy writing. Also the style took patience and imagination to enjoy. There is a LOT of exposition to wade through and while it is charming for the most part it is still a lot of telling and very little showing. But I did like the romance and rooted for the couple almost from the start.
March 19, 2022
This is a fairly solid three star read with what I’ve found to be a fairly standard good beginning if you ignore the slight implausibility of a divorced hero from this period who’s wandered the world interested in Archaeology, and a heroine who not only is older than most you find in historical romances of this type but is disgraced by running away with another man.
Robert has inherited both a house and Francesca from his late uncle. Apart from the charm of Robin the eleven year old daughter of Robert not a lot happens until we get Francesca’s horses and harm threatened to them and other wild creatures she nurtures.
This gothic turn is soon dealt with leaving our ending as happy as expected.
Robert has inherited both a house and Francesca from his late uncle. Apart from the charm of Robin the eleven year old daughter of Robert not a lot happens until we get Francesca’s horses and harm threatened to them and other wild creatures she nurtures.
This gothic turn is soon dealt with leaving our ending as happy as expected.
July 15, 2019
Second son and archeologist Robert Develyn (divorced widower with a 13~year~old daughter), inherited Saxondene from his uncle, the Earl of Finmore... unbeknownst to him, he also inherited a 29~year~old spinster, who in turn, was gifted by the Earl an extra~ordinary horse called Merlin.. Add the greedy inclinations of the present holder of the title with regard to coveting Merlin (that according to him would have been part of the estate)... have the spinster's past resurrected in the form of O'Malley trying to steal the horse... and you have a fun, entertaining story.
July 23, 2023
Charming book! ❤️
Robert and Francesca are perfect. She is an admirable, strong, unconventional, independent and intelligent heroine, the perfect partner for Robert who is loyal, supportive, responsible and handsome. The book is clever, witty and exciting with well-rounded secondary characters. It’s the only book I’ve read by this writer, and it is the first book that comes close to those written by Georgette Heyer - perfect for those who enjoy Miss Heyer’s regency writing. There is little to no heat but certainly a few laughs. It is a well written, well paced, enjoyable book of this type.
Robert and Francesca are perfect. She is an admirable, strong, unconventional, independent and intelligent heroine, the perfect partner for Robert who is loyal, supportive, responsible and handsome. The book is clever, witty and exciting with well-rounded secondary characters. It’s the only book I’ve read by this writer, and it is the first book that comes close to those written by Georgette Heyer - perfect for those who enjoy Miss Heyer’s regency writing. There is little to no heat but certainly a few laughs. It is a well written, well paced, enjoyable book of this type.
June 16, 2023
Old? Who said old?
Despite the view of the times that our protagonists were verily in their dotage, this fresh and satisfying tale is cleverly wrought with freshness and light. A perfectly rounded story with depth and fascinating characters. I have nothing to criticise and loved every beautifully crafted word, showing the care and talent the author employed in her writing. Brava! Highly recommended for lovers of a spirited, clean and ultimately satisfying romance with depth, colour and engaging characters.
Despite the view of the times that our protagonists were verily in their dotage, this fresh and satisfying tale is cleverly wrought with freshness and light. A perfectly rounded story with depth and fascinating characters. I have nothing to criticise and loved every beautifully crafted word, showing the care and talent the author employed in her writing. Brava! Highly recommended for lovers of a spirited, clean and ultimately satisfying romance with depth, colour and engaging characters.
May 7, 2020
Terrific read!
Not the typical Regency story. She loves to dress in boy's clothes, rides astride, enjoys fencing and is considered ruin. He's shocked at her interests, but is intrigued as well. Loved the story, well written and is clean. I've added Ms Stables to my list of fave authors.
Not the typical Regency story. She loves to dress in boy's clothes, rides astride, enjoys fencing and is considered ruin. He's shocked at her interests, but is intrigued as well. Loved the story, well written and is clean. I've added Ms Stables to my list of fave authors.
July 24, 2023
Stranger within tnw Gates
It is a clever storyline with awesome characters. Thankfully, the writing did not dawdle! I hate when it takes chapters to say what a good paragraph can do. I loved the story. It has enough angst to make it interesting and was a wonderful read with more stories within the story.
It is a clever storyline with awesome characters. Thankfully, the writing did not dawdle! I hate when it takes chapters to say what a good paragraph can do. I loved the story. It has enough angst to make it interesting and was a wonderful read with more stories within the story.
December 11, 2019
Loved it
Was feeling lousy, when only a romance can sooth and make better. And this filled the role. Lovely story, a fun couple, and an excellent read. When you have read all of Austin and Hyer, try this. Kept me on the sofa quite content.
Was feeling lousy, when only a romance can sooth and make better. And this filled the role. Lovely story, a fun couple, and an excellent read. When you have read all of Austin and Hyer, try this. Kept me on the sofa quite content.
July 24, 2023
Although I finished the book I didn't enjoy it. I skimmed through a lot of it. The language was very difficult - it was in Old English. The plot was interesting, but getting to the heart of the story was painful.
July 29, 2023
I love big words!
A great story with true literary form, which causes me to re-read sections just to be sure I "get it," which I love and big words which I can easily look up on kindle...and which I also love!
Oh, and the story was great, too!
A great story with true literary form, which causes me to re-read sections just to be sure I "get it," which I love and big words which I can easily look up on kindle...and which I also love!
Oh, and the story was great, too!
August 30, 2018
Really four and a half stars
Very good story , characters and just enough POV to enhance than detract. Main couple and relationship was developed beautifully.
Very good story , characters and just enough POV to enhance than detract. Main couple and relationship was developed beautifully.
September 10, 2019
3.5 out of 5 stars
November 12, 2019
Great read!
Love the writer’s style and it was a very entertaining story. Highly recommend this author as she writes consistently to a high standard.
Love the writer’s style and it was a very entertaining story. Highly recommend this author as she writes consistently to a high standard.
July 14, 2023
Oh my word, an intelligent amiable Regency romance? Rare, indeed, and raises 3.75 up to 4 Stars.
July 24, 2023
A wonderful clean romantic story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews