Philippa (Pippin), Lady Gossett, watches her son make
history by becoming the youngest Navy Captain in the
British fleet. Sitting aboard ship, the memories flood
back. She remembers a charismatic pirate who captured her
heart and the daring young woman in the red dress who
plotted his escape two times from death. Pippin has
suppressed the adventurous and courageous side of her
character to become the conservative and well-respected
Lady Gossett. For her pirate's freedom, Pippin accepted
Lord Gossett's proposal. He taught Pippin that the heart's
capacity for love is endless and she loved him until his
death. A fleeting glance at the crowd on the deck jolts her
back to reality when she sees her long-lost pirate.
Captain Thomas Dashwell, former heroic American pirate,
resides in a drunken stupor aboard his son's ship. He
wallows in self-pity for Pippin's betrayal 20 years ago and
his lack of courage. The fear of losing Pippin prevented
him from revealing his mistakes and flaws. Dash's own
private hell is the lies and pain swirling constantly in
his head. Nate, Dash's son, resorts to kidnapping the lady
in red to save his father. Coming on deck looking for a
bottle, Dash comes face-to-face with his dream and
nightmare.
Their reunion is bittersweet. Flashbacks of their past, the
passion, dreams and broken promises, envelope them, leaving
them with the choice to either forgive or hold onto
bitterness. Dash can rediscover himself and Pippin can
reclaim Circe.
Ms. Boyle has crafted two love stories, past and present,
which intertwine for a richly textured romantic tale. She
portrays Pippin, who kept her heart open for a rewarding
life, in contrast with Dash's closed bitter life. Yet
second chances deserve happy endings and watching history
unfold makes a marvelous read.
Lady Philippa Knolles has loved Captain Thomas "Dash"
Dashwell since he first stole a kiss from her on a
smuggler's beach near Hastings. Now after what seems like a
lifetime of waiting, Pippin is offered a chance to renew
her scandalous affair with Dash. But the man from that
first heady kiss and the man she rediscovers all these
years later are hardly the same. Tucked away in the back of
her closet is a red dress, the one she wore long ago to win
his heart . . . . Could it have enough memories left inside
it to rekindle a passion she's never forgotten?
I found this storyline disappointing for a couple I loved. Since the readers were steered to dislike Dash, I didn't see what he did to win back Pippin's love. In addition, Pippin's love for Dash was already waning in "Black Gown". So, why is she going back to Dash? It was sad to see Pippin's children being so dull and proper. John especially came off as a pompous, arrogant, know it all. (C Y 10:46am May 20, 2009)
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