Review: Teacakes For Two
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 14, 2013
Title: The Marquess of Cake (Redcakes Book 1)Author: Heather HiestandPublisher: Kensington BooksPublished: 7-4-2013Pages: 241ASIN: B00BNKMFGSMichael Shield, the Marquess of Hatbrook, had his first glimpse of Alys Redcake as she bumped into him as she hurried to The Redcake Teashop and Emporium. When he enters the tearoom himself he spots an old Oxford school chum and sits to partake of afternoon refreshments. Asking for they are out of trifle when the cakie (Waitress) comes to take his order. Alys informs him all the trifle has been sent to the palace for the upcoming Investiture Ceremonies (the queens bestowing of knighthood on an individual). Ceremonies Lord Hatbrook's man of business and Alys' father are partaking of. As they continue Michael realizes Alys is the young woman who caught his fancy outside earlier. When a rude patron causes Alys to nearly fall Michael saves her as he catches her and holds her upright. He is sorry to see the saucy serving girl leave.Alys listens to her sisters and mother discuss the other attendees to the Investiture. She spies the Marques across the room and wonders if he will recognize her in her finery as the cakie who had served him his tea the day before. Then she catches what her father is saying an is appalled that he is telling another nobleman that because she is 26 and has worked before he came to the notice of the queen and his station was raised he will be offering a rather large dowry to the man who marries his daughter. She can not believe he just announce he is willing to pay handsomely for someone to take her off his hands so that her younger sisters might have a better chance at a more titled match.Alys never wanted to get married. She enjoys working in the Teashop and making her specialty shops. She goes outside to keep from saying something to embarrass her father and her family. A few days later her father tells her she is to leave the shop and go home and act like the lady she now is. He has taken her one joy away from her. Then it gets worse he start offering her to his shop manager and then his second in command and then a third. Then Rose's asthma grows worse and she and Rose go to their new country estate for the cleaner air and better climate. Arriving only to find that the Estate is in total disrepair and liveable.Michael heads to his country Estate to take care of some business and with hopes of seeing the lovely Alys. With his brother in the background he can count him as his heir and thus enjoy some fun time with the enticing eldest daughter of Sir Redcake. Suffering one of his attacks as he gets of the train and starts walking to his home his luck is in when Alys's carriage comes across him. Getting him something to eat Alys takes him to her home at wich time Lord Hatbrook takes one look at the condition of the living quarters, the drafty rooms and lack of staff and quickly offers to have them stay at his home.This book starts a bit slow for the first four or five chapters so that the story background can be set up for the reader, but after that is goes very quickly and smoothly. I enjoyed watching the interactions and differences in the family members. The actions of Sir Redcake is quite common of the fathers of the era. As is the frowning of women of title working. As the story progresses we learn even more of the backgrounds of the characters. Both the heroine and hero have baggage to overcome. With the death of Lord Hatbrooks brother he feels the need to marry quickly and chooses Alys as his future bride. As with even couples today they must learn to adapt their ways and lives to include their spouses. This is always a difficult task and you must be willing to compromise. Something our lead characters have difficulty in doing.I admire Alys for her independence and willingness to go against convention. Although Lord Hatbrook thinks he is a progressive man he soon finds he is more traditional than he thought. The times may be changing but the question is can these two star-crossed lovers overcome an overbearing father, a harridan of a mother and family responsibilities to solidify their lives and attain their hearts desires. Ms. Hiestand is planning a second book soon and I will be looking for it two. She did a wonderful job with the first let us hope the second will continue the high standards she has set. A Delightful story to be enjoyed by all who read it. It is funny, bold and shows us family loyalty is neither an old or new concept, but rather one of the heart. If you enjoy Regency England period books this one is for you, pick it up today, you will not be sorry