Borrowed Plumes

by Roseleen Milne

MISS CONSTANCE OSBORNE DESPISED THE EVIL EARL OF CHIEVELY.

She couldn't understand how any woman could be attracted to this notorious rake, with his horrifying history of mistresses and mayhem. When this monstrous man set out to seize Constance's beloved family estate, she vowed to defy and defeat his wealth and wiles.

CONSTANCE ADORED THE HANDSOME AND CHARMING NOEL MUSGRAVE.

Never had she imagined that a man could be so admirable in every way. It was almost more than she could hope that this paragon of virtue would return her affection and join his spotless life with hers. There was one thing, however, that Constance did not know. The odious Earl and the marvelous Mr. Musgrave were the very same man...

Genres: Romance, Historical, Historical Romance

189 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1977

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORROWED PLUMES was first published in 1977 and described as " a sparkling Regency romance". Uh, no. This review is based on how NOT to write a historical romance.

Adrian Noel Musgrave Vernon, the Eleventh Earl of Chievely was a dastardly reprehensible metrosexual cad who shamefully wagered that he could marry a spinster he had never met. After "threshing" he gives his latest mistress ten minutes to depart. Referring to her as a "piece", he tells her she is a tiresome creature. "I am not the marrying sort, and neither are you. We are both too fond of our pleasures to turn them into duty, for that, my love, is what it boils down to." I wanted his junk to fall off! Then he and his mistress go at it again! Grrrrr.

Miss Osborne was a frugal, common-sense woman quickly running out of money because of her Uncle Maurice's gambling debts. She was going to be forced to sell her beloved home. The Earl wanted control of the Monksford estate; it was formerly owned by his family when he was a child. He now had the money and means to buy it if he could win over Miss Constance Osborne. So what does the jerk gentleman do? He wagers that he can win her hand before Derby day. But at this point in time, he has no plans to marry her. He just wants to win the wager. He also convinces his cousin, Sibbald, to pretend he is the Earl of Chievely.

I struggled with this story. Noel/Chievely grated on my nerves; he was pond scum. Then he would perform a kind act and I thought his character was changing for the better. But he didn't. He was a liar. He became angry with Constance on several occasions when he was at fault for what happened. He made several promises to her that he did not keep.

And his language. On one occasion he threatened to take Constance over his knee and spank her. On another occasion Noel wanted his cousin, in disguise as Chievely, to marry Constance. Noel overhears Constance acting upset and telling the imposter "No". Noel's response when he enters the room? "Now blow your nose this instant or else I shall slap your cheeks soundly!" Noel wants everything to go his way.

And Constance. Initially she was written as a smart, strong heroine that managed to overcome various adversities. I admired her and she was the reason I continued to read BORROWED PLUMES. Then she falls in love with Noel and becomes a whimpering mess who allows him to continue to treat her shamefully. He still sees his mistress until almost the end of the book. Constance waited for him to end it and didn't confront him until the last minute. By then she is aware that Noel is really Chievely. I wanted to yell, "Get a backbone!"

Lastly, we are expected to believe that Constance should forgive Noel aka Chievely's behavior because his mother treated him indifferently when he was a child. This was the reason he treated women disgracefully. I found this out at the end. And it is implied they have an HEA. I did not believe it. Gahhhh!!!! I felt as though I had ridden a treadmill for two hours by the time I finished this so-called romance. I was worn out.

[Kaylynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very little historical accuracy, a hero who lies to the heroine through almost the entire book and feels no remorse for his actions and expects the heroine to readily forgive him, and a heroine who forgives him far too readily for no good reason. Definitely a pass.

[Melody G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best Regency but certainly not the worst Ive read. I actually enjoyed this story for the most part. I don't take these regencies too seriously and just have fun with them. After all they really are just Cinderella stories. :)

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little ridiculous at times, but alright.