Tuesday, January 29, 2019

A Regency Romance with Murder, Intrigue, and Love


An orphan, Sybil Delafield would like to know who she is. Having finished her schooling at an exclusive girl’s school paid for by an anonymous benefactor, she is on her way to Croft Towers to become the companion of Mrs. Chalcroft, an aged and very ill woman.

Her first intimation that her time at Croft Towers may be perilous occurs when the mail coach, on which she is a passenger, is robbed by highwaymen. Arriving bedraggled and cold at her destination, she is disconcerted to recognize her employer’s godson, Curtis Sinclair, as one of the robbers. The other members of the household are cold to her, except for Mrs Chalcroft who mysteriously visits her bedroom late at night to ask her to carry messages without letting the other members of the household know. Since Britain is a war with France, Sybil wonders if she is becoming involved in a treasonous enterprise.

This is a delightful Regency novel. In addition to romance, there is the murder of one of the coach passengers, the suggestion of treasonous activities, and a delicious romance that is building between Sybil and Sinclair, if she can trust him. The historical setting is accurate. However, I think it would have been helpful to give more historical background to make the spying clearer.

Croft Towers is both creepy and comforting. Sybil loves the elegant rooms and enjoys roaming the gardens and woods. However, trips to the unused tower reek of ghosts. I enjoyed the characters. Sinclair is a perfect Regency hero with a hint on mystery. Sybil is at times very silly engaging in activities that she knows will get her in trouble, but it makes the story filled with adventure.

If you enjoy Regency romance, this is a good one.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for this review.

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