A delightful little book, 24 Nov 2002

By	dubvet (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

The heroine, Charlotte, is quite likable, and likes to paint, actually is a serious painter, even if only for herself. She has a misadventure with the hero, Alex at a masquerade ball right before her debut. She feels herself to be ruined, and after three years of protesting agianst marriage, she finally decides that she doesn't want to be alone, and proceeds to give herself a makeover, and takes London by storm.

During this time, Alex has been sent off to Italy, while his twin brother Patrick, is sent off to India by their irate father. When Alex returns after Charlotte has become one of the reigning beauties of London, he doesn't recognize her. However, she recognizes him. Alex was declared impotent, which he went along with happily in order to escape from his marriage in Italy, and so even though he has a little daughter, he is believed to be ineligable for marriage. And from here, we get the rest of the plot. Alex still is distrustful of women, after his wife in Italy betrayed him with the servants, and those of their social circle, and anyone else to come along. Charlotte knows that Alex is the only one she has ever slept with, even if he doesn't believe her. And society decides that she has a tendre for his twin, since Alex is supposedly incapable.

The supporting characters are well drawn out, and you hope that they will re-appear in their own book(s) - they do! I look forward to reading more by this talented author.

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