Scandal drove Patience into seclusion three years ago, far from the wagging
tongues of the Ton. Through it all, she never lost the support of her
family, including her cherished young cousins. With those same cousins now
set to make their debut in London this year, Patience has promised that she
will stand by their side, acting as chaperone and ensuring they do not
repeat her unfortunate mistakes.
But Patience isn’t exactly aptly named. Indeed, the well-meaning but
reckless girl tries the patience of those around her time and again with her
hare-brained schemes. Never considering repercussions of her own actions
beforehand, she finds herself in compromising situations again and again.
Still, she is determined to look out for her innocent young cousins, despite
her own ill-fated ideas.
Viscount Rexley was not ready for a wife, and cannot believe his father has
signed a marriage contract on his behalf without consulting him first.
Learning that his family’s fate and reputation depend on the marriage, he
reluctantly agrees. When he meets the well-intentioned and socially inept
woman promised as his bride, he balks. His family’s reputation means
everything to him, and he won’t risk it – even for a creature as lovely and
engaging as Patience.
But fate & love have a way of intervening in the most inconvenient ways, and
Rexley soon finds himself veritably smitten with his young bride-to-be who
he soon learns is ignorant of the marriage contract, leaving him no choice
but to woo the recalcitrant damsel. When danger rears its ugly head, he
must save her from a fate worse than social disgrace…
I
have had the pleasure of reviewing several of C.H. Admirand’s novels, and
can say without reservation that this is an author who can always be relied
on for a great read! All of the stories I’ve read from her so far have been
historicals set in two different periods, and she has handled each with
considerable aplomb. I have to say that none of the blurbs I have read for
Admirand’s books really do them justice. None convey just how rich and
lively the worlds she creates are. Patience is no exception
to this.
The title character, Patience, is an admirable heroine. She is noble, warm,
with a giving nature that considers everyone else before herself. She also
has the most regrettable tendency towards acting before thinking, which
lands her in some hot water time and again. At times this ensues in some
hilarity, but most often it leaves her in danger of varying degrees.
Rexley is a man of great honor, a savior to women in distress, and the
perfect romantic hero. Although circumstance forces his betrothal upon him,
he approaches it with the grace of a gentleman who has set his sights on
courting the lady of his choosing. Of course, his natural attraction for
Patience helps in that regard immensely. Still, Rexley exhibits his noble
nature repeatedly, aiding not just his own lady-love, but saving the virtue
and reputations of other women as well – most notably his betrothed’s own
cousins. Rexley’s generosity and sense of justice knowns no boundaries,
even extending to those of the lesser classes when they suffer from
ill-deeds.
Patience is not alone in her exploits by any means. Her cousins Charity and
Prudence not only join her in her schemes, but make a few bad choices of
their own. I suspect Admirand is subtly setting the stage for sequels
starring these two intriguing characters – at least I fervently hope so!
Patience is a wonderful book guaranteed to satisfy readers who
love historical romances. With an appropriately reluctant heroine, a
determined hero, and a cast of well-rounded supporting characters bound by
an intriguing suspense plot, this is a book that will enjoy a long shelf
life.
Reviewed by Jennifer
