Miss Jane Downing hates to be invisible; whenever she
must go to Society events, no one ever sees her; everyone
forgets ever meeting her. She has resigned herself to
remain a
spinster, but she'd like to experience love and passion,
if only for one night. Captain Xavier Grey came back from
the war a broken man; he is a hero everybody recognises
and holds in high regard, but he'd rather they didn't
notice him. Jane has admired Xavier from afar for a long
time; in fact he is the man she has set her sights on for
an affair. Jane, who lives with her brother Isaac, hears
that Xavier will be leaving for his cottage in
Chelsmsford, and as her brother will be gone on business
for some time, she packs a few things and Isaac's cat
Egui, and heads out for Essex to corner Xavier and
proposition him where he can't possibly refuse her, can
he?
THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is yet another jewel
in Erica Ridley's crown. THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING
MISTRESS is extremely well-written, fast-paced,
sophisticated and insightful. The narrative is built upon
the familiar trope of two people stuck in a snowstorm in
closed quarters; however Ms. Ridley adds delightful and
clever twists to the premise. Jane and Xavier are
extraordinarily complex characters: she's a bookworm, an
independent thinker with a sharp tongue and a quick wit.
Xavier is brooding, stoic, unsmiling; he has still not
fully recovered from his trying stint in the war nor does
he care to share his experiences with anyone.
As light as the story might appear at the beginning, it
takes a serious and introspective turn with what had
begun as an innocent parlour game to pass the time.
Jane's desperate attempts at seduction seem destined to
fail, and Xavier's efforts to keep things light turn into
an unexpected heart-to-heart discussion where Jane and
Xavier reveal some of their best-kept secrets. As both
characters start to reveal their innermost selves, Jane
realises that she might have made the wrong choices and
that nothing is set in stone, while Xavier doesn't seem
to want to alter his way of thinking. That part of THE
CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is exceptionally
gripping, touching, and captivating.
THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is a quick read
mostly because of the dialogues between Xavier and Jane,
which constitute the undisputed highlights of the book.
Lest anyone thinks THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is
dark and foreboding, it is not the case at all: as light
and amusing moments abound, especially when Egui, the
feline from Hades is concerned. I found amazing that Ms.
Ridley can create such diverse characters, as Xavier and
Jane do not resemble in any way the ones from the
previous instalments; and such wonderful characters they
are!
THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is the third
instalment in the brilliant Dukes of War series
but prior knowledge of the other books is not necessary.
Need I mention that I consider THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING
MISTRESS an absolute must-read.
Captain Xavier Grey’s body is back amongst the beau monde,
but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war.
His
friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn’t
deserve it. Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of
the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed...
Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the
arms
of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous
Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but
nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could
quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it
be
to learn the language of love?
Regency-set Historical Romance Novel
Enjoy the emotional, laugh-out-loud second book in USA
Today
bestselling author Erica Ridley's new Dukes of War regency
romance series!
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