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Lady Rosalyn Wellborne is shocked when a rather well-dressed man appears at her door. He shows up at her home in Maiden Hill – not knocking, but opening the door and walking in. The handsome man claims to be the new owner of Maiden Hill. Though quite irritated that he’s invaded her space, she feels a spark of attraction for this man.
Something is terribly wrong. Lady Rosalyn claims to be the owner of the house, yet Colonel Colin Mandland, says that he just purchased it, and as a matter of fact, he has a key! An astonished Rosalyn discovers that her gambling cousin has lost everything, even forced to sell the only real home she’s ever known.
Rosalyn lives at the house with Covey – Mrs. Covington. Decades ago, Rosalyn’s father let Covey and her newlywed husband live at Maiden Hill. Now a widow, Covey and Rosalyn live a comfortable existence, Covey being all the caring family Rosalyn has. Of course, with the exception of her no-good drunken, gambling cousin, who inherited her father’s title, and now has completely squandered it away. There is also the petulant, difficult Aunt Agatha, the woman to whom Rosalyn is now to go live with. However, Rosalyn doesn’t even have money for a coach, and she must also worry about Covey. Rosalyn quickly forms a plan. She has no intention of leaving Maiden Hill.
Colin is a proud owner, well, that is if he can deal with Lady Rosalyn, and get her to leave. Frustrated as can be, Colin takes pause. Lady Rosalyn is Quality. Top Form. A delightful beauty. Nonetheless, he appeals to a man of respect that might be able to get Rosalyn to agree to leave. However, when Colin arrives, he discovers Rosalyn beat him there! There
is a plan though. If Colin will marry Rosalyn, they both get to keep the house. What’s in it for Colin? A promise of a seat in the House of Commons. A knighthood has remained elusive to Colin, even after serving in the King’s army. A seat would bring him that much closer to his dream of knighthood.
Rosalyn’s no pushover, and she’s not going to marry a man just to right someone else’s wrong. What’s happening is unfair, so she not only does not leave the house, she originally refuses to marry Colin. So, it’s up to Colin to seduce her. Yes, THE SEDUCTION OF AN ENGLISH LADY is about to take place. While Rosalyn is powerfully attracted to Colin, and does respond to his efforts, her pride, lack of trust, and the fear of opening her heart prevent him from drawing close.
This is a touching, fast-moving story. Rich with strong characters, including Colin’s family, the story is quite fulfilling. Rosalyn’s loyalty to Covey, and the sense of family she feels with her is wonderful to read. Colin has much to learn, and learning his does in this warm, effective story by Maxwell.
Reviewed by Robin Taylor
for The Road to Romance
August 27, 2004
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