Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Regency Romance
Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.
All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.
But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.
Review:
Silk and Scandal is a neatly wrapped little package of a novella. It is written concisely and to the point; the point being a romance between an orphan turned barrister and the daughter of an aristocrat.
Thomas Cartright, adopted from the poorhouse at age 9 by a wealthy couple who gave him financial and familial advantages in life, is now reacquainted with Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons, his childhood neighbor, now a lady of “scandal” via flirtations across the continents.
“Nic” has taken it upon herself to write about her travels (and travails) to Thomas and he, although vexed by her letters, reluctantly returns them. Their correspondence lasts for almost ten years as Nic hops one country to another, escaping scandal after scandal, whilst Thomas completes his law training.
Upon her return to England, Nicola’s and Thomas’ lives are rekindled, with Nicola looking for romance and Thomas more concerned about his law career. Through a series of mishaps and misunderstandings, buried feelings are unearthed; however quarrels and calamities abound, making the road for romance as jagged and sharp as an unpaved graveled path.
The characters appear to be typical in nature, with Nicola being flighty and dreamy and Thomas being on the stodgy side; however, when they are with each other, their guards are let down, revealing how very likable their characters are underneath all the crinoline and cravats, but not without an extraordinarily mortifying moment that puts Thomas’ hard-earned career in dangerous peril.
Cassandra Dean has written a very amenable and enjoyable short story that allows the reader to escape into a brief, albeit, delectable 19th century liaison.
(Reviewed by Countess Barbara)
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