Readers first met Valentine Wharton in Elisabeth Fairchild’s,
“Captain Cupid Calls the Shots”. There we saw him as a soldier returning
from the Peninsular wars bearing emotional scars and a rogue who only found solace at the
bottom of the bottle.
In this book, Ms.
Fairchild picks from where she left off in the previous book. Penny is now happily married
to Cupid and nine-year old Felicity is the only love left to Valentine and he wants
nothing more than to be a good father to her. He goes to fetch her from the boarding
school and there meets the determined and capable young teacher who’s the love of
Felicity’s young life, Miss Elaine Deering. She reminds him forcibly of Penny but for
Felicity’s sake, Valentine requests her to quit her job and take up the position of
being governess to Felicity. His bad reputation precedes him though and Elaine politely
refuses. But circumstances change rapidly as a vengeful and lecherous ex-employer destroys
Elaine’s reputation and she’s left without employment. Valentine’s offer
still stands, but Elaine is still resistant. She accepts a lift in his carriage though and
so beings an odd journey to Wales.
Throughout the journey,
Felicity, and Val’s old housekeeper, Mrs. Olive, keep trying to persuade Elaine to
accept Val’s offer. Valentine himself wages a war of words and sincerity to win over
this prickly little independent woman. He hides his attraction towards her as that is the
one thing guaranteed to make her flee but tries to win her over by demonstrating his
reformed ways. Elaine is torn between security and joblessness; even her own
uncontrollable feelings of attraction towards Val scare her. But what Valentine is unaware
of is the true reason behind Elaine’s rejection of him, both as a man and as
an employer. Will these two headstrong individuals ever recognize how right they’re
for each other or will their prejudices overcome them? Will circumstances triumph over
heart?
The story is continued
from the previous book and while not necessary, it’s advisable that readers read that
book before reading this one. “Valentine’s Change of Heart” is a
very moving and emotional story about the harsh realities of life, mistaken assumptions
and second chances. Ms. Fairchild has crafted an exquisite story of love and hope and
healing. Valentine’s struggles - both internal, and with society and circumstances -
are very powerful and poignant. His character is a tortured one and Ms. Fairchild depicts
this superbly. His budding relationship with his young daughter is enchanting and tender.
Elaine is also a very admirable character – she is intelligent, indomitable and
independent. Penny and Cupid also put in appearances. The entire cast of characters will
steal the reader’s heart away. Wales comes to vibrant life in Ms. Fairchild’s
lyrical prose and this adds it own atmosphere to the emotional nature of the book. The
book settles many issues left unresolved in the previous book. This uplifting tale of love
and redemption will long live in the reader’s memories and is one of the best
Regencies I’ve ever read. Elisabeth Fairchild is truly awesome!
Reviewed By Rashmi
Srinivas for The Road to Romance
January 25, 2003
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