A stand-alone companion to Of Moths and Butterflies and Cry of the Peacock.As a widower, Nathanial Durham has the monumental responsibility of finding suitable husbands for his two daughters. Flirtatious and changeable Bethany might have nearly anyone, but she seems determined to toss her suitors away almost the moment they arrive. Laynie, on the other hand, far behind her sister in looks and … in looks and charm, is of especial concern to her father. And so, when Harold Vaughn returns home to inherit, it seems the problem, at least for one of his daughters, is solved. Only which daughter will it be?
Even his girls cannot quite decide, and so, to cool the rivalry, the sisters are sent to an aunt’s, where they are thrown into the path of other young and eligible gentlemen—and a new rivalry begins.
Meanwhile, Mr. Durham, lonely for intelligent companionship, hires a gentleman to read to him several nights a week, but Mr. Holbrook is off limits to his coquettish girls. With varying degrees of reluctance, they honor the agreement. At least Beth does for herself, but if its possible Mr. Holbrook might provide a distraction for her sister while she decides which gentleman she prefers for herself, well…what harm can there be?
Some, it seems. When Laynie, accident prone and determined to get herself into any fix that comes her way, falls from a horse, it sets in motion a series of events that expose Mr. Holbrook as a man of questionable integrity. Is it possible Mr. Durham’s hired companion is capable of the wrongs laid at his door? Is it possible Laynie has been mistaken in esteeming him as a man of character?
Is it possible to know anyone truly?
Between the manufactured innocence of a young woman and the championed exploits of every man, what happens when the two opposing doctrines collide?
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Made me want to read ahead.
The story dragged on and was not at all believable.
Dragged a little
I wrote a great review and then it got deleted! SO I’ll sum up. This was a bit on the long side like a true Jane Austen book a bit wordy but I wanted every word. It was a good story. It got a little sad and I really wanted to smack these two self sacrificing people upside the head but in the end it all worked out. Well written, well developed complex characters. Very well done.
I like the story lines in her books. And it is not full of graphic sex. The only thing I don’t like about her books, is sometimes they go on and on. But love her any way.
Thoroughly enjoyed the plot and characters. I would like to read more by this author.
I wished for more character development, more romance. The title is totally misleading. If I hadn’t read a summary, I never would have read the book.
Loves it.
Fantastic writing. Let’s you feel that you are there. Great characters.
Author is most like Jane Austen of any I’ve ever read! Intriguing, great character development, and interesting plot!
One I’ll remember
Very well written. Not fast paced, gives an in-house depth understanding of the characters and the times they live in.
Great read but dragged on a bit in places.
Very realistic and entertaining story about the plight of women from the upper middle class in Victorian England who need to marry in order to secure their future. I enjoyed the story very much and will definitely read other books by this author.
a good victorian england story
Really enjoyed this. The dialogue was well done.