Wonderful reading. Romance, mystery - all tied up in a captivating package. I loved the breathtaking descriptions of exotic locations and fascinating conversation amongst the characters. Zabrina Faire (aka Florence Stevenson) wrote wonderful regency's (also under the name Ellen Fitzgerald) but her gothic flair really comes out in this book. Jenny had felt forced to marry the disturbing "little man" Comte Hector de le Garde. He only wanted her money which Jenny's grandmother had given her. Jenny's grandmother, Emma, has second sight and Jenny was most like her. Emma was a commoner who had married well (now Lady Lamkin) and the ton believed that a title is all the upstarts were after. Even Hector's step-brother Lord Rande (Thurston) was barely civil to Jenny. But Jenny caves in and, at her mother's and grandmother's insistence, she becomes the Comtessa de la Garde. This marriage does not start on a good foot at all. You will find the wedding night rather humorous since Jenny is unwilling to suffer Hector's advances - "you have my fortune ... you do not need me as well." But a wedding trip to Africa - on Lord Rande's ship results in stops at foreign locations, stormy weather, meeting of interesting secondary characters and the real romance- which of course is between Jenny and her disapproving brother-in-law, Thurston. Hector again and again proves to be nasty and overbearing and at one time has to be restrained after he erupts in violence and assaults Jenny! His mother, Louise, has some tricks up her sleeve which are difficult to foresee but you just know something is not right! Although the mystery quite overtakes the romance, this was excellent reading and I could hardly put it down until all was resolved. All is resolved happily for our couple in love and villains meet an untimely end. The introduction of the paranormal (physic abilities of several characters) was very nicely woven in the theme. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.
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