Helpful Score: 1
A story of love, envy, passion and betrayal, by Britain's famed historical romance novelist. Fatherless since birth, young Rebecca Mandeville soon becomes motherless as well, left with her infant sister, Belinda, in the custody of Benedict Lansdon, the stepfather she despises. As Rebecca grows into a clever beauty and Belinda into a hellion determined to get her way at all costs, another child, Lucie, is added to the household. Together they make a complex triangle laced with affection but also with jealousy. And when Benedict remarries, family tensions erupt in one catastrophe after another- blackmail, scandal, devastating accusations and the hint of passion made violent. But it isn't until Benedict's new wife disappears, amid cries of murder, that Rebecca and Benedict, together, are able to pick up the pieces of the shattered family to which both are bound. Rich in historical detail, this book is an evocative portrait of victorian England by one of England's greatest storytellers. You won't be disappointed !
I enjoyed this book as I do all hr books
Author is Philippa Carr aka Victoria Holt. From the rear cover: "She knew great happiness until the day he entered her life...
She was young Rebecca Mandeville, a girl fatherless since birth, a sprite who was equally at home on the Cornish moors and in Victorian London. But when her mother married the roguish Benedict Lansdon, her world turned bleak. Soon Rebecca was motherless as well, left with her hated stepfather and her new infant sister, Belinda--a hellion determined to get her way at all costs...
But young girls grow up and Rebecca was no exception. A clever beauty, she had learned to accept life's pain--until family tensions erupted in one catastrophe after another, until Benedict's beautiful new wife disappeared amidst cries of murder, until only Rebecca could save the man she had once despised..."
She was young Rebecca Mandeville, a girl fatherless since birth, a sprite who was equally at home on the Cornish moors and in Victorian London. But when her mother married the roguish Benedict Lansdon, her world turned bleak. Soon Rebecca was motherless as well, left with her hated stepfather and her new infant sister, Belinda--a hellion determined to get her way at all costs...
But young girls grow up and Rebecca was no exception. A clever beauty, she had learned to accept life's pain--until family tensions erupted in one catastrophe after another, until Benedict's beautiful new wife disappeared amidst cries of murder, until only Rebecca could save the man she had once despised..."
Historical romance novel by Philippa Carr aka Victoria Holt.
the fifteenth book of the Daughters of England,a narrative entwining families to Benedict Lansdon the saga continues with the Cornish countryside and premeates to Victorian London of love and betrayal.
From Publishers Weekly
The prolific British author of historical romances ( The Pool of St. Branok ) continues her lavishly entwined narrative of the families connected to Benedict Lansdon, now a recently bereaved widower, absentee father and wealthy seeker of a Parliament seat. Narrated by Benedict's aggrieved stepdaughter, Rebecca, this complex tale of love and betrayal concerns a three-cornered sibling relationship involving Rebecca, her half-sister, Belinda and Lucie, a country waif informally adopted by Benedict. Aware that her father blames her for her mother's death in childbirth, Belinda takes refuge in michievous behavior. Placid Lucie, however, fits in well with the family, though her lineage is suspect and clouded with mysterious events at St. Branok's pool. Although Belinda seems the most obvious "changeling," Carr sustains an air of doubt and intrigue. The ambience of the Cornish countryside and of Victorian London permeate this piquantly Gothic family saga.
The prolific British author of historical romances ( The Pool of St. Branok ) continues her lavishly entwined narrative of the families connected to Benedict Lansdon, now a recently bereaved widower, absentee father and wealthy seeker of a Parliament seat. Narrated by Benedict's aggrieved stepdaughter, Rebecca, this complex tale of love and betrayal concerns a three-cornered sibling relationship involving Rebecca, her half-sister, Belinda and Lucie, a country waif informally adopted by Benedict. Aware that her father blames her for her mother's death in childbirth, Belinda takes refuge in michievous behavior. Placid Lucie, however, fits in well with the family, though her lineage is suspect and clouded with mysterious events at St. Branok's pool. Although Belinda seems the most obvious "changeling," Carr sustains an air of doubt and intrigue. The ambience of the Cornish countryside and of Victorian London permeate this piquantly Gothic family saga.
