Review: Mr. Cavell's Diamond
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 3, 2014
Henry Cavell, a wealthy gentleman, is caught between lust and love.  He has a chance encounter with the lovely, but poor, Caroline Simpson.  The two strike up a friendship, but it us soon clear that Caroline desires more than mere friendship from him.  Caroline has been poor all her life and hates to work.  Thus she is determined to ensnare a rich husband, no matter what the cost.  So she sets her sights on seducing Henry Cavell.  Distracted by her beauty, childlike innocence, and flirtatious nature, it isn't long before his lust for her takes over.  Not long after, Caroline claims she is carrying his child.  Henry, meanwhile, regretted his hasty actions, but he feels duty bound to marry the woman carrying his child.  They marry and Henry is determined to love Caroline to the best of his ability.A few months later, and Caroline claims she has lost the child.  As time passes, it becomes clear to Henry that all Caroline cares about us money, fashion, and good society.  She spends a good deal of time in London, while Henry remains  in his home on the coast.Away from his wife, Henry begins spending more and more time with Jemima, the quiet, gentle maid he has employed.  Recognizing she has a kind heart, the two fall in love, but they do not act on their feelings.When it becomes clear that Caroline has not been faithful to Henry, he seeks to dissolve the marriage so he can in turn marry Jemima.  But laws of the time prevent then from divorcing.  Will Henry and Jemima ever be together?This book was excellent!  The two women were perfectly portrayed, one representing lust and the other genuine love.  Caroline was as horrible witch, a vilan you love to hate,  and Jemima a heroine you are automatically drawn to. The writing style was very well done.  I loved how the story was told from each character's point of view, and how when Jemima's point of view was being told, the author changed the writing style to better reflect the fact that Jemima was a poor servant and would not speak proper English.Overall, an excellent read.  A sweet, clean love story.