One Good Turn (Signet Regency Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

The Duke of Knaresborough is trying (but not really succeeding) very hard to come to terms with the fact that Libby Ames has not only rejected him, but has found happiness with her splendid but ordinary husband, Dr. Cook. In an effort to take his mind of Libby and his current unhappiness, the duke has agreed to take his young neice to his country estate so that she will not contract chickenpox form her infant brother. However while on the road, the duke discovers to his horror that his niece has contracted chickenpox after all, and he's not sure if he can cope with a sick, fractious child. Fortunately for the duke, Miss Liria Valencia and her young five year old son appear on the scene. And although he takes Liria to be no more than a Spanish camp follower, who had given birth out of wedlock, her ability to deal with the crisis at hand and her calm manner impresses the duke no end, and impulsively he offers her a job as his housekeeper. The more contact he has with Liria, the more he is intrigued by her. Who is this mysterious Spanish woman who seems more than able to run a duke's household and who possesses the dignity and demeanor of one far above her station? What brought to England? And why does she refuse to return to Spain? Ever curious, the duke sets out to discover the secrets that Liria harbors in order to help a lady who is becoming of increasing importance to him.

I know that I've said this about quite a few Regency romance novels lately, but this time it's really true: this is a romance novel that is out of the ordinary! After a steady diet of flirty heroines and rakish heroes, this book was a novel experience. Liria is certainly unlike most heroines that one would expect from a Signet Regency romance novel: she's a heroine that has had a truly hard and horrendous past (her war experiences do not make for easy reading), but who because of her inner strength and indomitable spirit, managed to survive. Some readers may find this novel a little disappointing, because romance-wise, not much happens until the last two chapters. The bulk of the book deals with the duke coming to terms with himself -- his strengths, his weaknesses, his inner demons, and how he wants to go on; as well as the mystery that surrounds Liria. It's a sobering book, as well as a cathartic one -- it runs the gamut from pain and horror to tears and joy. This is definitely a romance novel for readers who need some substance to their 'cream cake' romance diet.

Personally, I loved this novel, and will be holding on to it for some time.

It's been interesting to read the comments about it. I won't go into the plot because it has been well summed up elsewhere. I would, however, like to make a few brief comments about other matters.

First of all, yes, as a "reader from Europe" says, there are a few inaccuracies and "Americanisms" in this book. This is something I myself am often critical of as an American living in England for it really annoys me when authors make what appear to me as very obvious blunders. However, I have to say I didn't see the errors here as particularly significant as when Edith Layton has made similar. Kelly, like Layton, creates characters who are so strong and believable that you just don't care because they shine through any mistakes.

This is a book about growing up, in essence. We met Benedict Nesbitt, Duke of Knare, in Libby's London Merchant. Again, this was a book which has a flaw in research but which Kelly magnificently owned up to in the recent reissue. In LLM, Nez did not get his lady; she instead gave herself to a man who had fully matured, was comfortable in his own skin and knew where he was going. In LLM, and at the beginning of OGT, Nez was still looking for a life path.

The reader who said that the historical setting seemed unreal perhaps is not familiar with the history of the Peninsular War. Those who are will know that Badajoz was a turning point in the struggle against Napoleon. By 1812, the British troops were hardened from a long and hard campaign, the seige of the city was grim and losses on the allied side incredibly high. I have been to Badajoz and Cuidad Rodrigo (site of another difficult seige) and have seen the places the British Army fought. Descriptions I have read of the fight before the glacis are horrible; layers of still warm bodies as others climbed over them to get ladders to the walls and bastions. It was, as Wellington himself admitted, unforgiveable what the troops on entering the city did but it does not compare with some of the things the French did. And, Kelly describes it and the feelings it left in some of those involved so well. I have read memoires from survivors and she has truly let us have an informed look at the whole event. So, hats off for this; she has done a wonderful job.

Nez grows up in this book. He looks at his relationships with his fellow Army officers and his troops, with his father, mother and sister, his former love, Libby and her wonderful husband Dr Tony Cook. What he does is learn to accept the past knowing that he cannot change it and then to look forward by giving love and support to another victim of the past, Liria and her little son Juan. The relationship between Nez and his wonderful butler, Luster, is very well drawn; rather like the wonderful servants in Gayle Wilson's historical books. Who can help but fall in love with Nez, a man who finally learns his self worth and is capable of offering so much.

All in all, this is a wonderful, superior read. When I compare it with some of the other regency fiction around, it truly transcends some of it. Carla Kelly creates high tension, adult relationships, strong characterisations and draws settings which for the most part are believable and accurate. I love the way she often tells her stories from the male perspective, letting us share their thoughts and emotions. Please, please, Carla Kelly, keep writing. Please, please, please.