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Rating: 
Summary: Lost love regained . . .
Review: Once upon a time, the Earl of Ennismount had been very much in love with Camilla, and she with him. But by the time this fact was discovered, Camilla was promised to Lord Harry Summerton, and her conscience wouldn't let her do other than marry Harry. For thirteen years she was a happy wife, until the day Harry persisted in riding an untried horse known to be a rogue, and to attempt this folly in a thunderstorm. Of course, the horse promptly threw the rider, and Harry died instantly. Camilla had not returned to London society during the next two years, but now, during the celebrations surrounding the peace of 1814, as well as the engagement of the Princess Charlotte to the Prince of Orange, Camilla returns to Society. During an evening gala at Carlton House, she discovers a pair of young lovers, who will play an important part in her own future: Miss Sophie Arenburg and William de Marne, heir to the Earl of Highnam. Sophie is the ward of Czar Alexander of Russia, who is coming to England very soon, now for the festivities. The Earl of Highnam is hopeful of a Marquissate, but scandal could derail his hopes, and anyway, William has been betrothed to Alice Penshill since little more than out of his cradle. Sophie knows, but chooses to ignore the fact that she is about to be betrothed to Prince Ludwig of Prussia. Camilla's best friend for many years, Lady Elizabeth Oxforth, daughter of the Earl of Highnam, has a well-deserved reputation as considerably more than a flirt, although her husband apparently, and continually, just looks the other way. Actually, he's more occupied with the gambling activities at his club. Elizabeth keeps hinting at something concerning Dominic, the Earl of Ennismount but Camilla doesn't want to hear it, when suddenly, threats and counterthreats send Sophie to Camilla for protection from Dominic and his aunt, who have been named the English protectors of the young lady until the Czar's arrival. The entire troup of players (not all known to each other, either) remove to Camilla's Gloustershire estate, Camilla and Dominic having declared an uneasy truce over the underlying currents of their former attraction for each other. Sophie and William are unable to keep away from each other, thereby setting into motion the final action which will wreak havoc on everyone. It takes a good bit of diplomacy and conversation before all the old ghosts are finally laid to rest, but finally, Sophie and William are allowed to marry, and William's father not only gets a higher title, he makes it all the way to Duke! Dominic and Camilla realize the truth of their relationship, and vow not to waste any more time apart. Even George and Elizabeth resolve their differences in this satisfying, very sensual book.
Rating:
Summary: Lost love regained . . .
Review: Once upon a time, the Earl of Ennismount had been very much in love with Camilla, and she with him. But by the time this fact was discovered, Camilla was promised to Lord Harry Summerton, and her conscience wouldn't let her do other than marry Harry. For thirteen years she was a happy wife, until the day Harry persisted in riding an untried horse known to be a rogue, and to attempt this folly in a thunderstorm. Of course, the horse promptly threw the rider, and Harry died instantly. Camilla had not returned to London society during the next two years, but now, during the celebrations surrounding the peace of 1814, as well as the engagement of the Princess Charlotte to the Prince of Orange, Camilla returns to Society. During an evening gala at Carlton House, she discovers a pair of young lovers, who will play an important part in her own future: Miss Sophie Arenburg and William de Marne, heir to the Earl of Highnam. Sophie is the ward of Czar Alexander of Russia, who is coming to England very soon, now for the festivities. The Earl of Highnam is hopeful of a Marquissate, but scandal could derail his hopes, and anyway, William has been betrothed to Alice Penshill since little more than out of his cradle. Sophie knows, but chooses to ignore the fact that she is about to be betrothed to Prince Ludwig of Prussia. Camilla's best friend for many years, Lady Elizabeth Oxforth, daughter of the Earl of Highnam, has a well-deserved reputation as considerably more than a flirt, although her husband apparently, and continually, just looks the other way. Actually, he's more occupied with the gambling activities at his club. Elizabeth keeps hinting at something concerning Dominic, the Earl of Ennismount but Camilla doesn't want to hear it, when suddenly, threats and counterthreats send Sophie to Camilla for protection from Dominic and his aunt, who have been named the English protectors of the young lady until the Czar's arrival. The entire troup of players (not all known to each other, either) remove to Camilla's Gloustershire estate, Camilla and Dominic having declared an uneasy truce over the underlying currents of their former attraction for each other. Sophie and William are unable to keep away from each other, thereby setting into motion the final action which will wreak havoc on everyone. It takes a good bit of diplomacy and conversation before all the old ghosts are finally laid to rest, but finally, Sophie and William are allowed to marry, and William's father not only gets a higher title, he makes it all the way to Duke! Dominic and Camilla realize the truth of their relationship, and vow not to waste any more time apart. Even George and Elizabeth resolve their differences in this satisfying, very sensual book.
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