Men Were Deceivers Ever (Severn House Regency)

Rating:
Summary: Traditional Regency
Review: Helena's young brother is late back from a short visit with a school friend. His stage has had an accident and he is dropped off by Lieutenant Peter Clivedon who is travelling to Sussex by post chaise.

The heroine's mother is widowed, borrows against her Helena's upcoming marriage only to be told the groom has died in a battle in Spain. Fortunately Clive appears once more and offers his hand in marriage.

I like the detail and characters, the plot seems to involve a number of misunderstandings. Peter's character is slowly exposed and he turns out quite differently than he first appears.

From the dust cover...

SHE HAD ALMOST LOVED HIM BUT NOW SHE DESPISED HIM

Miss Helena Hammond had suffered a tragedy that had left not only herself but her family at Point Non Plus deeply in debt and with no apparent escape. Therefore, Lieutenant Peter Clivedon's appearance was nothing short of a miracle. Aware of the untimely circumstances, but also aware of Helena's breathtaking beauty, Peter offers to marry her, and although greatly surprised, she gratefully accepts. Once married, they move to Whisperwood, and over time, Helena grows very fond of Peter. But their idyllic interlude is shattered when Helena learns that Peter has concealed a terrible truth from her. A truth so painful that Helena is compelled to leave Whisperwood and demand a divorce. Peter knows that what he had done was to protect the woman he so dearly loved. He could only hope she would come to realize this before it was too late.