In this book, Barbara Metzger brings forth a basket of Maltese puppies, a somber earl, and a young lady with spunk. This gift to readers is all wrapped up with a bow full of laughs. If you can find a copy of this delightful book, get it. You will have lots of giggles.
Noelle Armstrong's father was a charming Foreign Office diplomat, who gifted his wife with a pair of Maltese pups. When he died, he left the family with lots of debts. Noelle, as the eldest child, economized carefully and kept her family together. When an aunt died, leaving a townhouse in London and some funds to Noelle, she decided to spend enough money to take the family to London for a Season. Ferne is a ravishing blond and Noelle thinks she deserves a season to try to find a husband. She also thinks Winston, her brother, deserves some time in London to give him some polish.
Using the Maltese pups and a newspaper ad, Noelle creates a stir in London. The Earl of Wrenthe sends for one of the pups for his paramour but is rebuffed by Noelle. She only lets pups go to 'good homes' and must check out the buyer before turning over the pet. Well, Justin almost has a coronary when he's told that he might not be a good enough home. He arrives to be checked out and the fun begins.
I'm sure this was common, but Justin was 35-years-of-age and Noelle was only 22. I thought that was a big age-gap. He also was written as a stodgy Lord of Parliament, who simply didn't change his life to suit the whims of others. Because the romance of Ferne moved to the center of the book, Justin didn't get enough time to make it appear that he had really fallen in love with Noelle.
This is Ms. Metzger's second book (published in 1982). In time, she would write hilarious books about wild puppies (signature elements of her books) and charming lords. With this book, it is already obvious that the author has nailed the spunky heroine (who speaks her mind) to a T.
Noelle Armstrong's father was a charming Foreign Office diplomat, who gifted his wife with a pair of Maltese pups. When he died, he left the family with lots of debts. Noelle, as the eldest child, economized carefully and kept her family together. When an aunt died, leaving a townhouse in London and some funds to Noelle, she decided to spend enough money to take the family to London for a Season. Ferne is a ravishing blond and Noelle thinks she deserves a season to try to find a husband. She also thinks Winston, her brother, deserves some time in London to give him some polish.
Using the Maltese pups and a newspaper ad, Noelle creates a stir in London. The Earl of Wrenthe sends for one of the pups for his paramour but is rebuffed by Noelle. She only lets pups go to 'good homes' and must check out the buyer before turning over the pet. Well, Justin almost has a coronary when he's told that he might not be a good enough home. He arrives to be checked out and the fun begins.
I'm sure this was common, but Justin was 35-years-of-age and Noelle was only 22. I thought that was a big age-gap. He also was written as a stodgy Lord of Parliament, who simply didn't change his life to suit the whims of others. Because the romance of Ferne moved to the center of the book, Justin didn't get enough time to make it appear that he had really fallen in love with Noelle.
This is Ms. Metzger's second book (published in 1982). In time, she would write hilarious books about wild puppies (signature elements of her books) and charming lords. With this book, it is already obvious that the author has nailed the spunky heroine (who speaks her mind) to a T.
