Despite the scandalous blemish on her family's name, Lord Giles Cardross was convinced his lovely young bride cared for him. But as the bills and extravagant debts begin to mount up, Giles begins to suspect that perhaps his adored wife isn't as innocent as he supposed. Especially since, as of late, she's been unable to look him in the eye.
Nell has found herself ensnared in a bit of a pinch. Deciding that she couldn't possibly ask her husband for help, she enlists the help of her roguish brother, Dysart, who is every inch the provocateur he's renowned to be! But Nell certainly doesn't expect to get caught up in his outlandish schemes. It's only a matter of time before Nell's reputation and her marriage is on a course for disaster!
Nell has found herself ensnared in a bit of a pinch. Deciding that she couldn't possibly ask her husband for help, she enlists the help of her roguish brother, Dysart, who is every inch the provocateur he's renowned to be! But Nell certainly doesn't expect to get caught up in his outlandish schemes. It's only a matter of time before Nell's reputation and her marriage is on a course for disaster!
Georgette Heyer's Regency romances set the standard for all the others.
Good reading
The bride is in debt - unable to tell her husband, she manages to get caught up in even more deceptions.
I'm currently re-reading Georgette Heyer's books. Though this isn't one of my favorites, her books never fail to delight!
A memorable novel of romantic intrigue.
Quoted from my review @ http://misscz.wordpress.com
I liked Nell. A sweet person, who over-spent her quarterly allowance when she loaned her roguish brother money. She then over looks a bill for a very expensive dress and is afraid to tell her husband about it. Her behavior has made Giles question whether she married him for love or for his money. Poor Giles. Here's a man who's truly in love, and is confronted with the possibility that the naysayers were right after all. And when he thinks Nell is responsible for what happened to the Cardross necklace, I really felt his anger and heart break.
I also liked Dysart. Even with all his crazy schemes, he's a decent guy - if somewhat directionless. He's a much better character than Letty, since he does try to help (in his own way) when all Letty cares about is getting her own way. I did not like Letty, Giles' spoiled, self-centered half-sister, at all. Her thoughtless remarks served only to reinforce Nell's insecurities regarding Giles' true feelings for her. Yet Nell continued to be sympathetic to Letty's cause. Her behavior throughout made me wish that Giles would like her up in the attic!
I liked Nell. A sweet person, who over-spent her quarterly allowance when she loaned her roguish brother money. She then over looks a bill for a very expensive dress and is afraid to tell her husband about it. Her behavior has made Giles question whether she married him for love or for his money. Poor Giles. Here's a man who's truly in love, and is confronted with the possibility that the naysayers were right after all. And when he thinks Nell is responsible for what happened to the Cardross necklace, I really felt his anger and heart break.
I also liked Dysart. Even with all his crazy schemes, he's a decent guy - if somewhat directionless. He's a much better character than Letty, since he does try to help (in his own way) when all Letty cares about is getting her own way. I did not like Letty, Giles' spoiled, self-centered half-sister, at all. Her thoughtless remarks served only to reinforce Nell's insecurities regarding Giles' true feelings for her. Yet Nell continued to be sympathetic to Letty's cause. Her behavior throughout made me wish that Giles would like her up in the attic!
This is one of my fave Heyer books. From the back cover:
It was the most brilliant match of the season -- the marriage of dazzlingly wealthy Lord Cardross to the ravishingly beautiful and vivacious Lady Nell. But the viscount's winsome bride harbors a secret in her heart: she is deeply, irretrievably in debt. Unable to reveal the truth to her husband, Nell tries to settle her muddled affairs but finds herself caught up in a terrible deception.
The instant he laid eyes on Nell, Sir Giles was completely captivated. Yet when the priceless Cardross jewels disappear, he must sort through a maze of suspicion and scandal which seemingly implicates his enchanting bride. To discover the truth means he can claim the reward he so passionately wants -- Nell's undying love.
It was the most brilliant match of the season -- the marriage of dazzlingly wealthy Lord Cardross to the ravishingly beautiful and vivacious Lady Nell. But the viscount's winsome bride harbors a secret in her heart: she is deeply, irretrievably in debt. Unable to reveal the truth to her husband, Nell tries to settle her muddled affairs but finds herself caught up in a terrible deception.
The instant he laid eyes on Nell, Sir Giles was completely captivated. Yet when the priceless Cardross jewels disappear, he must sort through a maze of suspicion and scandal which seemingly implicates his enchanting bride. To discover the truth means he can claim the reward he so passionately wants -- Nell's undying love.
This book was classic Georgette Heyer. Her dialog has always seemed to me to be more authentic to the period than more recent books. Although at times you know she is educating you about the period, but it isn't obvious. I read G.H. when I need a break from the latest book that is designed to sell to the more modern "Romance" reader. I like anything she writes, but can't read her books one after the other. They are intense reading. Sometimes I just like a simple story in which to escape!
