Reviewed by Francine:
Having
ventured to the Far East as an East India Company man, Reinhart Maycott is
essentially a reluctant aristocrat. His life in India encapsulates the intrepid
and adventurous spirit of the young Reinhart, until the sudden and unexpected
elevation to a marquisate forces him back to his homeland. And no matter his
shady existence in the nether wilds of India and scandalous rumours that abound,
every mama in England has taken note of his return to home shores, not least that
of Lady Parbury, who immediately sets out to present her eldest and most
ravishing daughter for his delectation.
Of
course, Reinhart (Ren) is far from conventional, any more than young Mariah
Parbury, who indeed recognises Ren’s extreme handsomeness as does her elder
sister Rorie (Aurora), but it is his travels and former lifestyle that prove as
captivating as his golden eyes to Mariah, whilst her mother sees only wealth
and status for her eldest darling. And so the fun begins as Lady Parbury sets
forth to create a match made in heaven, but the best laid plans ‘n’ all are thwarted
as Ren’s past begins to encroach and threaten those close to him. As happened
whilst in India, life becomes fraught with ever increasing dangers,
and if love should blossom betwixt him and a Parbury miss the death knell may
ring out as it had when he was far away in India.
The
great mystery of who is plaguing Ren’s life comes to light at the very end of
the story, as would be expected of a good suspense novel. I applaud the author for
the story’s unusual theme of a man and his big cat, a man who harbours a secret
longing for love but dare not embrace it. As for the delightful heroine with an
inquisitive mind and foolish daring, she set the tone nicely for touches of
farce, fear, and she was indeed deserving of a happy ever after. Nice one Ms
Eastwood.
