| They were three childhood friends and
companions – Patience Ballard, Pip (Philip Yorke, the Viscount Royston) and Richard
Cavendish (the second son of the Marquess of Cavendish). The ever impatient and impetuous
Patience has always been enamored of the fun-loving and absolutely charming Pip and since
the age of eight, her deepest desire has been to marry the merry and charming Pip. Richard
has always been the honest and dependable friend, a very good friend but only a friend.
Now they’re all grown up and
circumstances have changed. Pip is the new Earl and the whole of London dotes upon this
handsome and rich young man and now he is engaged to some other girl to be married.
Richard’s elder brother Chase is new Marquess and he is intent upon squandering the
family fortune as quickly as he possibly can. Richard, who’s been the voice of
conscience to Pip forever, is now trying to do the same for his brother and save their
family from total ruin.
Then Patience comes to London for her season,
impatient to see Pip, but it is Richard who comes to see her and takes her to him. She
knows and is disappointed that Pip is engaged but his strange, unfeeling attitude towards
his fiancée gives her hope. But will Pip ever know her true feelings and if and when he
does, will he return them?
Meanwhile, dear steady Richard is always there for
her at every turn, stopping her from creating scandal, guiding her through life and the
intricacies of London society. Subconsciously Patience starts to see that in comparison to
the flighty and careless Pip, the ever loyal Richard is the better man, but her
stubbornness makes her cling to her childhood fantasy of being Pip’s wife. Will she
ever realize the truth? And if so, in time? Will Richard give up waiting for her? Read
this wonderfully charming Regency romance by the very talented Elisabeth Fairchild and
find out for yourself!
“A Game of Patience” is a simply
divine Regency story! The title is also very apt for the book, fitting both the story and
the characters. Delightful & absolutely charming!! Aided by an excellent cast
of characters, Ms. Fairchild reveals that nothing is more hazardous than the game of love
- but will patience win in the end, is the mystery! Elisabeth Fairchild captures all the
joy and pain of being in love with an ideal and not the real person, even as the truly
delightful heroine discovers where her heart really belongs. This tender, sweet story
carries a powerful message that readers will not be able to ignore. Ms. Fairchild writes
with depth and emotion, creating characters that will stay with you long after you've
finished her books. The storyline is compelling and the readers will feel a definite
connection with the main protagonists. Her clever interweaving of love, friendship and
desire is clearly perfect!
“A Game of Patience” is an
entertaining, warm, and thoroughly enjoyable read!!
Reviewed By Rashmi Srinivas for The Road to
Romance
December 19, 2002
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