When Dominic Sanford’s parents die in a carriage accident, he is packed off to Scotland to be brought up in his uncle’s household. Twelve years later, a member of the London Company of Surgeons, he returns to his dilapidated estate that borders Pemberley. He plans to settle in Derbyshire and continue with his medical research, but has other pressing reasons for his return. His father’s journals … journals have recently come into his possession and throw up questions about the accident that killed his parents. Perhaps it wasn’t an accident at all, and they were murdered. Dominic will not rest until he discovers the truth.
Georgiana Darcy sees Dominic for the first time at Colonel Fitzwilliam’s wedding and feels an immediate attraction towards her brother’s engaging friend. Determined to be of service to her neighbour, Georgiana scours her own father’s journals and discovers disquieting information about illegal activities at the time of the Sanfords’ demise.
As Dominic and Georgiana delve deeper, they uncover a fiendish web of organised criminality fuelled by thirst for revenge against Dominic. Georgiana unwittingly plays a major role in the miscreants’ plans and by involving her, Dominic has placed her directly in danger’s path. Can he find a way to fight back, save the woman whom he has come to admire, and find justice for his parents…
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Excellent read.
“There is scarcely any passion without struggle.” Albert Camus, the Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays
Book 3/5 in the Mrs. Darcy Entertains series. [Book 1/5 Miss Bingley’s Revenge], [Book 2/5 Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma], [Book 4/5 Kitty Bennet’s Despair], and [Book 5/5 Lydia Wickham’s Journal]
“Red is such an interesting color to correlate with emotion, because it’s on both ends of the spectrum. On one end [,] you have happiness, falling in love, infatuation with someone, passion, all that. On the other end, you’ve got obsession, jealousy, danger, fear, anger and frustration.” Taylor Swift
I realize using the second quote, as a reference for a JAFF review, seems rather strange; however, after reading this book, I think you will agree that it is applicable. I believe this story covers all the emotions listed quite adequately.
Our author had previously woven Georgiana’s and Kitty’s story thread throughout this series and now it was Georgiana’s turn to find her HEA. Books 1&2 had her infatuated with Major Halstead, while his best friend, Captain Turner, played court to Kitty. Solid, and in the background of both girls, was Darcy and Elizabeth. Their love was strong and a stabilizing point for the girls, and they only came forward in the story when they were needed.
This could easily have been a stand-a-lone book. I love how our author seamlessly wove the books together so you had a solid understanding about what had happened, what was happening, and what was going to happen. And, it was not done in one long excruciating chapter of backstory. I was so impressed with how the author gently inserted the information, as it was needed and when pertinent to the story.
Due to Georgiana’s experience, with the fortune hunting Wickham, she was ultra-sensitive to flattery, and especially flattery delivered by a handsome face. She knew many men would try to court her for her fortune alone and not for herself. She wanted what her brother and Elizabeth had, a deep and abiding love or she was determined to never marry. It was this declaration that made her look more closely at Major Halstead and she was beginning to not like what she saw. Suddenly, her infatuation with the handsome Major began to dim as she quickly realized, he was not who or what he appeared.
The story was full of danger, intrigue, revenge, hidden treasure, hatred, lust, anger, betrayal, death, bravery, vengeance and a crime spree. There was also the introduction of the new neighbor, Mr. Sanford. And, then baby Darcy, who decided to come early, and during a snow storm no less. The story built nicely; however, Georgiana gave me a few extra gray hairs as, I’m sure, she did her brother. That girl was way too modern. Every time she had a wild thought, she had to act on it, whether it was rational or prudent. She created more trouble than a bug walking through a chicken coop.
Things I liked: Darcy and Elizabeth… a given. Hamish the dog… I simply loved that dog. I want that cabin.
I am looking forward to the next story with Kitty and her Captain Turner. Although, with the work he did behind the scenes of this story, there just may be a promotion due him.
Rating: PG-17, lusty, crude and not romantic. There is a line where love and even lust cross over into obsession and cruelty. This part was not romantic.
Problem: “What’s up with you then?” I don’t think this was Regency language?