Initially written in 1992, Edith Layton wrote five loosely-connected short stories about love and combined them in this book. At the halfway point in this book, I think this book is a dismal failure. The idea of showing love in the seasons of the year was fine, but the execution was not. One of the overarching themes seems to be that London ton members are cold-hearted sophisticates who need the gentle ministrations of a country-bred female to save them. I thought that trope went out with crinoline skirts. Please read at your own risk, and I've evaluated each individually.
SPRING'S PROMISE -- 3.5 Stars
Falicia Carstairs, the only child of Squire Carstairs, returns early from London in a huff. The man she's set her cap for is marrying another. To forget her peak, she sets her hat for a scandal with Lord Neville, a local rake who has recently returned to the area. Neville is nine years older than Felicia and has sown his wild oats far and wide. However, he's bored with the whole lot. When Felicia and Neville start meeting on horseback, Neville falls for her innocence but wonders what it is she wants. He realizes that the only way he has a chance with Felicia (and her family) is to change his ways radically.
To me, some of the story was disjointed. I didn't think this was one of Layton's best short stories.
SUMMER'S FRUIT -- 2 Stars
Adela and Euan Clermont were very much in love when they parted (after a couple of weeks of marriage) for Euan to return to Wellington's forces in Spain. When Euan returned months later (because he inherited his uncle's viscountcy), his wife was 7+-months pregnant. They didn't know how to relate to each other because of Adela's pregnancy. This was an awful story. They were on the verge of separating because neither had experience with pregnancy and the accompanying tumultuous feelings. Adele was an orphan, and Euan was a military man.
Adela and Euan go to a party in the district where Euan has his home, specifically where Squire Carstairs (see story above) is celebrating the engagement of his daughter Felicia and Lord Neville. Euan and Neville were schoolmates years before. Both couples enjoyed each other's company and looked forward to being neighbors in the years to come. We find out that a man with 14 children talks to Euan (at the party) about pregnancy difficulties. Thus, Euan figures out how to mend fences with his wife.
AUTUMN LEAVES -- 3 Stars
First: This short story and the fairytale, 'Tamlane and the Fairie Queen,' occur in tandem. Bronwen tells the long tale to her charges, leading up to the final dramatic scene on Halloween Night.
Bronwen Penny was a gentleman's daughter who fell on hard times when her father died. Bronwen found she was penniless, and her father left debts. So, she entered service as a governess in London. One day, Bronwyn happens upon an old family friend, Nick, Earl of Fairlie. Of course, he runs with a fast crowd and seems dissipated. Before accepting a stolid, boring Mr. Edward's marriage suit, Bronwen has a chance to go to the masquerade party at the London Opera (incognito, of course). This story was contrived and unbelievable.
SNOW BROTH -- 2 Stars
Two earls, residing close to each other in London, die and have funerals about the same time. Marjorie Makepeace accidentally goes to the wrong funeral and meets three cousins (Lord Beauford {Beau}, the Honorable Lavinia Peckingham, and Lord Pope {Creighton}). They help Marjorie present her papers at the right home, and Lavinia invites Marjorie to stay with her while the lawyers check her papers. This is a complex plot, but Marjorie goes about with the three cousins and falls in love with Beau. Then, she discovers that Beau and Lavinia have been engaged (since nearly birth). Then, she finds out about Beau's lightskirt. Marjorie, the country mouse, decides to return home.
Marjorie, lonely with only a single aunt, had come to London hoping to find long-lost relatives. Squire Carstairs, from the first story, is the principal inheritor of Marjorie's grandfather's estate. The Carstairs invite Marjorie to live with them and Felicia in London for as long as she wants. All Marjorie wants is to return to her Aunt Winslow and forget Beau.
The three cousins come to wish Marjorie safe travels. Lavinia announces to all four that she's broken the engagement. It isn't until that point that Beau moves to regularize his relationship with Marjorie. He didn't have the gumption to discuss the issue with Lavinia privately and end the engagement as a man. Instead, Lavinia took command by announcing the end of the engagement in the London newspapers. Beau is a drifting, pleasure-seeking gentleman. What did Marjorie want with him?
A LOVE FOR ALL SEASONS -- 4 Stars
This is Hugh and Rachel Carstairs' story. Through inheritance, they suddenly rise from county squire to Earl and Countess of Chesham. Although they come from the country, they are well-bred and astute. However, London offers many opportunities and temptations. Both Hugh and Rachel are tempted by the rampant infidelities in London. The marriage of Felicia and Lord Neville brings all of the characters (from each short story) to their wedding.
This short story is a study of character. We've seen many of these characters under other circumstances, and now we know who they are. It is a satisfying study of being human, and Edith Layton is one of the best at understanding people and their motivations.
SPRING'S PROMISE -- 3.5 Stars
Falicia Carstairs, the only child of Squire Carstairs, returns early from London in a huff. The man she's set her cap for is marrying another. To forget her peak, she sets her hat for a scandal with Lord Neville, a local rake who has recently returned to the area. Neville is nine years older than Felicia and has sown his wild oats far and wide. However, he's bored with the whole lot. When Felicia and Neville start meeting on horseback, Neville falls for her innocence but wonders what it is she wants. He realizes that the only way he has a chance with Felicia (and her family) is to change his ways radically.
To me, some of the story was disjointed. I didn't think this was one of Layton's best short stories.
SUMMER'S FRUIT -- 2 Stars
Adela and Euan Clermont were very much in love when they parted (after a couple of weeks of marriage) for Euan to return to Wellington's forces in Spain. When Euan returned months later (because he inherited his uncle's viscountcy), his wife was 7+-months pregnant. They didn't know how to relate to each other because of Adela's pregnancy. This was an awful story. They were on the verge of separating because neither had experience with pregnancy and the accompanying tumultuous feelings. Adele was an orphan, and Euan was a military man.
Adela and Euan go to a party in the district where Euan has his home, specifically where Squire Carstairs (see story above) is celebrating the engagement of his daughter Felicia and Lord Neville. Euan and Neville were schoolmates years before. Both couples enjoyed each other's company and looked forward to being neighbors in the years to come. We find out that a man with 14 children talks to Euan (at the party) about pregnancy difficulties. Thus, Euan figures out how to mend fences with his wife.
AUTUMN LEAVES -- 3 Stars
First: This short story and the fairytale, 'Tamlane and the Fairie Queen,' occur in tandem. Bronwen tells the long tale to her charges, leading up to the final dramatic scene on Halloween Night.
Bronwen Penny was a gentleman's daughter who fell on hard times when her father died. Bronwen found she was penniless, and her father left debts. So, she entered service as a governess in London. One day, Bronwyn happens upon an old family friend, Nick, Earl of Fairlie. Of course, he runs with a fast crowd and seems dissipated. Before accepting a stolid, boring Mr. Edward's marriage suit, Bronwen has a chance to go to the masquerade party at the London Opera (incognito, of course). This story was contrived and unbelievable.
SNOW BROTH -- 2 Stars
Two earls, residing close to each other in London, die and have funerals about the same time. Marjorie Makepeace accidentally goes to the wrong funeral and meets three cousins (Lord Beauford {Beau}, the Honorable Lavinia Peckingham, and Lord Pope {Creighton}). They help Marjorie present her papers at the right home, and Lavinia invites Marjorie to stay with her while the lawyers check her papers. This is a complex plot, but Marjorie goes about with the three cousins and falls in love with Beau. Then, she discovers that Beau and Lavinia have been engaged (since nearly birth). Then, she finds out about Beau's lightskirt. Marjorie, the country mouse, decides to return home.
Marjorie, lonely with only a single aunt, had come to London hoping to find long-lost relatives. Squire Carstairs, from the first story, is the principal inheritor of Marjorie's grandfather's estate. The Carstairs invite Marjorie to live with them and Felicia in London for as long as she wants. All Marjorie wants is to return to her Aunt Winslow and forget Beau.
The three cousins come to wish Marjorie safe travels. Lavinia announces to all four that she's broken the engagement. It isn't until that point that Beau moves to regularize his relationship with Marjorie. He didn't have the gumption to discuss the issue with Lavinia privately and end the engagement as a man. Instead, Lavinia took command by announcing the end of the engagement in the London newspapers. Beau is a drifting, pleasure-seeking gentleman. What did Marjorie want with him?
A LOVE FOR ALL SEASONS -- 4 Stars
This is Hugh and Rachel Carstairs' story. Through inheritance, they suddenly rise from county squire to Earl and Countess of Chesham. Although they come from the country, they are well-bred and astute. However, London offers many opportunities and temptations. Both Hugh and Rachel are tempted by the rampant infidelities in London. The marriage of Felicia and Lord Neville brings all of the characters (from each short story) to their wedding.
This short story is a study of character. We've seen many of these characters under other circumstances, and now we know who they are. It is a satisfying study of being human, and Edith Layton is one of the best at understanding people and their motivations.
