Review: Almost a Fairy Tale and a Satisfying End
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 28, 2013
The main character, Bella, is immensely likeable. She makes her own clothes to save her estate, and holds her pregnant mare's welfare in equal value with her own. The villain, Uncle Derwent, only laughs with cruelty, never kindness, and is obsessed with sucking Bella's inheritance dry. She overhears him plan her marriage to her son, after which she will be entirely in his hands. Not being able to face this prospect she runs away, taking her mare to prevent Uncle Derwent from gaining his revenge through her.When she runs away she hides in the woods (shades of Maid Marion!) where she hears a shot and finds a wounded man left for dead. She tends his wounds, rescuing him from almost certain death. Thus the Hero of the tale, Tristram, is introduced.Afterwards the Hero turns the tables. In gratitude and recognizing her desperate state, he offers her a job as governess to his son.When her mare gives birth in a beautifully rendered emotional scene, their love is also born.In the end the conflicts are resolved and the questions answered - I bawled like a baby!One might almost think this a Fairy Tale, charming, humorous and kindly, though with Regency era slang and plenty of true-to-period details. (I actually did not recognize some of the slang as Regency era slang - "wizard!" and "topping!" for example - but when I looked them up I found they were legitimate!!)I especially enjoyed when Darcy applies a phrase usually used about a woman to a man: the Hero's Grandmother tells him, "You must have more hair than wit!" for example. I thought that was priceless.And the Grandmother herself, Lady Wyndham, carries out the Fairy Tale theme, having almost the character of a Fairy Godmother, embodying both the Good and the Wicked models.I am giving this book four stars instead of five for its limited scope. Although I really enjoyed reading it, I probably won't remember it very long. However, if time goes by and I happen across it again, I'm sure I'll enjoy reading it again.I received this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review.