Το κοριτσι της σαμπανιας

by Margaret Rome

It was the answer to their dreams!
Chantal and her brother could hardly believe their luck when they inherited from their grandmother prosperous vineyards in France.

But the legacy was not lovingly given--their unknown grand'mère had disowned them long ago. Only a quirk of fate brought this gift to them.

Their arrogant neighbor, Marquis de la Roque, laughed when he learned of their plans to work the land themselves. But that was just the challenge Chantal needed to prove him wrong!

Genres: Harlequin Romance, Romance, Harlequin

Unknown Binding

First published October 12, 1979

Reviews

[MissKitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chantal and her brother unexpectedly inherit a vineyard in the Champagne region, from the grandmother they never knew. Brut, a Marquis, owns the neighboring vineyard and wants to buy it from them. They refuse to sell since its always been Chantal's brothers dream to be a vigneron. This causes friction between the them and the Marquis. Furthermore, Brut and the community believe that Chantal and her brother have been neglectful grandchildren since they never visited their grandmother, so they make life difficult for the two of them. Fortunately, some old family retainers are willing to help the siblings and they start work on the vineyard. It is hard backbreaking work but Chantal joins the men and does her fair share. Brut seems to admire her for this and assures her that he is not behind the uncooperative actions of the community. He invites Chantal and her brother to a ball at his Chateau to show the community that he has accepted them and therefore the townsfolk will follow his example. It is a masked ball and Chantal does not lack for dancing partners. She seeks some quiet time in a dark room and over hears Brut's femme fatal cousin discussing with an Aunt, their plan to seduce both Chantal and her brother and to ultimately have the estate signed over to them.
Chantal is distressed by this and is now suspicious of the Marquis' change of heart. Nevertheless she considers she is forewarned and decides to play along. As she returns to the ball it is the unmasking and there is some sort of kissing custom. As the Marquis kisses her their passions rise and he proposes. She accepts, thinking this is part of plan she overheard. The story continues with their engagement and courtship. Brut, the Marquis seems very attentive but Chantal is constantly suspicious, and although she responds to him, she keeps part of herself aloof. Brut senses this and he tries to make her open up about her troubles. She realizes in the end that she is in love with him, but since she is convinced he is merely deceiving her, she tries to break of the engagement. Of course all is resolved in the end since there was no plot (only in his cousin's mind) and he loved her all along. Also it turns out his aunt was the one responsible for destroying their reputation with the community. She never turned over their fathers letters to the grandmother and continued to foster the break in the family.

[Sarah Quilt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers that the ending was too abrupt and underwhelming... But I must say that for being almost 50 years old this story holds up pretty well in my opinion. I had to pull out a dictionary for some of the vocabulary that was used, but learning new words isn't a bad thing. I also learned a bit about wine, champagne, and growing grapes! My biggest pet peeve is how Brut looks like a total old man creep on the cover art.

[Myrna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Never before have I pandered so long to the whims of one woman, never has my patience been so stretched, my emotions kept so rigidly under control, and all on account of a freckle-faced, tormening, tantalising witch who dangled me at arm's length for her own secret amusement"

I love these old-fashioned quotes.
The story is nice.
Chantal and the blond French Marquiz.
Beautiful Champagne region. Luscious grapes.
Old family feud.
Abrupt ending.

[Trenchologist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rome got to the hero knowing he loves the heroine too soon so we had to have some plot devices thrown in (overheard terribleness for 200 please). But both leads are engaging, and I find Rome's Masterful Hero more palatable than many of the era, and her heroines aren't nitwits.

Now, they do generally tend to pretend to be in love for various personal-wronged-revenge ends -- yet another author who grooved variations on a theme -- but at least they're not limp noodles.

Vineyards and the work done there was a nice departure in the canon of 80s power / adventure / industrialist / baron norm. As was the mending of all the familial misunderstandings by the next generation and the made-family the heroine (& her brother) got in the end along with her HEA.

Abrupt end.

[RomLibrary · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was the answer to their dreams!
Chantal and her brother could hardly believe their luck when they inherited from their grandmother prosperous vineyards in France.

But the legacy was not lovingly given--their unknown grand'mère had disowned them long ago. Only a quirk of fate brought this gift to them.

Their arrogant neighbor, Marquis de la Roque, laughed when he learned of their plans to work the land themselves. But that was just the challenge Chantal needed to prove him wrong!

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Rating: ★★½☆☆