Alternates between being funny thanks to spot on humorous
dialog and heart wrenchingly realistic due to Jane
Goodger's attention to detail and accuracy. THE SPINSTER
BRIDE is an excellent addition to a series that centers
on Lords and Ladies. As a great fan of Victorian based
romances THE SPINSTER BRIDE rates right up there with the
best of any I have had the fortune to review. I missed
the first three in this series but now they are
definitely on my must read list.
THE SPINSTER BRIDE touches on the human side of an era
that was concentrated on pomp and circumstance -- who you
were -- your title -- well you get the picture. Not all of
polite society was so polite and definitely not very
compassionate. Flaws were ridiculed and people were
judged by very superficial petty standards.
Jane Goodger masterfully described the societal norms and
through her characters pokes holes in how that time was
ripe with flaws -- character flaws to be exact. But having
said that we meet some truly lovely characters in THE
SPINSTER BRIDE.
Marjorie Penwhistle is the twenty three year old spinster
who is surprisingly still unmarried by all accounts. Of
course we quickly learn the reason why -- rather simple
actually -- Marjorie's mother Dorothea will not settle for
anyone less than a titled gentleman for her lovely,
smart, beautiful daughter. Here in lies the problem. Not
all titled gentlemen are gentle men and Marjorie wants to
fall in love. Several friends have made love matches and
she has been holding out for the same. But to polite
society standards Marjorie is heading toward spinsterhood
-- or as they say on the shelf.
Charles Norris has been on the society circuit for a long
while but is becoming increasing anxious about finding
what his siblings have -- a family of his own. But Charles
has had bad luck finding a woman who would suit. Well
that's not exactly true -- Charles has found many women to
love but as much as he has a tendency to fall rather
quickly his advances have not been met with success. To
date all the objects of his affection had other ideas or
men in their mind or hearts.
Through a strange twist of fate Marjorie finds herself
indebted to Charles and his demands are unique -- he
enlists Marjorie to find him a bride. Marjorie is to come
up with a list of eligible candidates who would hopefully
be attracted to Charles and open to a relationship.
It becomes quite a game between these two intelligent
people -- a match game -- which Marjorie at first enjoys.
But as time goes on she and Charles develop something
quite rare in those days. A friendship. Candidly as much
as Charles finds Marjorie attractive he is very put off
by her demanding rather cold mother. The more time with
Charles has Marjorie acknowledging some find points about
this large rather gruff man.
Only time will tell if Marjorie will be successful in
finding a match for Charles even though it is becoming
increasingly difficult for her to see him with these
candidates.
Marjorie and Charles may be the central characters of THE
SPINSTER BRIDE but they are far from the most interesting
and evolved in this story. THE SPINSTER BRIDE is
constructed in such a way that you are immediate drawn to
a generational tale that tugs at your heart. Jane Goodger
travels back and forth from the Penwhistle past to
current days. This is absolutely crucial to the story
line development.
From the very outset THE SPINSTER BRIDE will entertain
and perhaps even educate on just how intricate these
rather flamboyant lives actually were and how their
problems can be recognized and understood even today.
THE SPINSTER BRIDE by Jane Goodger is a candid look at a
society that at times seems so foreign but she crafts a
unique, open-minded tale full of twist and turns and
several surprises.
Mr. Charles Norris needs help finding a wife... For he has the unfortunate habit of falling for each Season's loveliest debutante, only to have his heart broken when she weds another. Surely Lady Marjorie Penwhistle can help him. She's sensible, clever, knows the ton, and must marry a peer, which he is not. Since she's decidedly out of his reach, Charles is free to enjoy her refreshing honesty-and her unexpectedly enticing kisses... Lady Marjorie Penwhistle doesn't want a husband... At least not the titled-but-unbearable suitors her mother is determined she wed. She'd rather stay unmarried and look after her eccentric brother. Still, advising Mr. Norris is a most exciting secret diversion. After all, how hard will it be to match-make someone so forthright, honorable, and downright handsome? It's not as if she's in danger of finding Charles all-too-irresistible herself...
Excerpt
In short order, the carriage pulled up in front of the townhouse on fashionable Bury Street, not far from St. James's Square. The streets were deserted, but well lit by gas lamps hissing in the quiet of the night. With a deep sigh, Marjorie stepped down from the carriage, ignoring the concerned look of their footman, and walked up the steps to the front door. Twisting the bell, she stepped back, clutching her fists to her stomach in a desperate attempt to squelch the sick nervousness settling there. She barely had time to collect herself when the door opened to a tall Indian man wearing a traditional dhoti and white turban. "Lady Marjorie, please come in. Mr. Norris is expecting you." "Lovely," Marjorie said, stepping into the dimly lit entry hall. "This way." The servant walked down a long, dark hall, which only added to the trepidation in her heart. She thought she heard a strange grunting sound coming from the direction of their path, and she stopped dead. The man turned toward her inquiringly. "I...Are there no lights?" "Ah, forgive my rudeness. I am used to walking these halls in the darkness and quite forgot you are not familiar with this house." He pulled a match from his pocket and lit a wall sconce. "Better, no?" Marjorie smiled. "Much better, thank you." "Now we can contin—" His sentenced was interrupted by a very loud and very foul curse. "Nighttime can be difficult for Mr. Norris," the Indian said cryptically, before continuing down the hall. "Perhaps another time would be better?" Marjorie called after him. He turned again, smiling pleasantly. "This way, my lady." With a sigh of resignation, Marjorie began walking toward the end of the hall, stopping when the man knocked softly at a door, which showed a dim light underneath. Here they would no doubt find the loud and foul-mouthed Mr. Norris. "Goddamnit, Prajit, if she ain't here yet, leave me the hell alone!" "Perhaps I should come back at a more respectable hour, sir?" Charles spun around from his spot by the fire where he'd stood, hoping the warmth of the flames would soothe the agonizing pain shooting through his leg. He muttered yet another curse, clenched his jaw, and forced a smile, which even he knew probably made him look like a madman. "Lady Marjorie, I apologize for the lateness of the hour, but I wanted this resolved as soon as possible." Through the haze of pain, he was aware the lady was dressed for a ball, and he had enough wits about him to realize she'd been pulled from said ball to attend him. "And I apologize again for taking you from what I imagine was a pleasant evening." "Perhaps more pleasant than this," she said, raising one brow in her lovely face. Now that she was in front of him, he realized he remembered her quite well. It was rather difficult to meet Lady Marjorie Penwhistle and not remember her. She was, in fact, every Englishman's fantasy of what an English woman should look like—if one preferred dark-haired beauties as opposed to blondes. Her complexion was near perfection, creamy and smooth with the slightest blush along her delicate cheekbones. Her nose was small, her chin perhaps a bit strong (a gift, no doubt, from her mother), but she was in no way mannish. Her eyes were dark, and in this light, he couldn't tell if they were dark blue or perhaps brown. Her entire countenance gave her an air of authority and intelligence—and coldness. No, he wasn't the least bit attracted to her. She would be perfect for him.
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