The Absent Wife (Signet) [Paperback]

Sandra Heath (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet | Publication Date: August 5, 1987

Miss Roslyn Meredith had so many questions about Lord James Atherton. Why had this handsome, charming, sensitive aristocrat married the notorious Vanessa, society's most heartless and scheming beauty? And what had happened to her? Had she vanished off the face of the earth? And now, why did Atherton invite Roslyn and her improvident portrait-painter father to his secluded estate in Foxcombe? But one question overshadowed all others: could Roslyn trust this man who had no right to make her lose her heart to him—and could she trust herself?

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sandra Wilson is the author of The Chalbourne Sapphires.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (August 5, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451150600
• ISBN-13: 978-0451150608
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,348,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars better than a travelogue --, December 10, 2007

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Absent Wife (Signet) (Paperback)

Sometimes love at first sight happens, but it appears to be between the wrong two people. Frequently, one of them isn't free to love at all. Sometimes there are other barriers to be overcome, but if the love is real and true, it will win out in the end.

With her first glance at Lord James Atherton, Roslyn Meredith was enchanted. He was breath-takingly handsome but didn't appear to be above himself. It came as a shock when she learned he was married to the heartless Vanessa, who was nowhere to be found. Or perhaps she was off somewhere with her lover.

Roslyn's uncle Owen, the renowned portrait artist, had painted the Athertons shortly after their marriage, but that was before Roslyn had been orphaned and sent to live with him. Now, uncle and niece were befriended by Lord and Lady Elgin, and sent to Greece to accompany more of the rescued treasures (Elgin's Marbles) back to England. To Roslyn's surprise, Lord Byron was also one of the party. For some reason, he suspected Roslyn's attachment to Lord James, no matter how much she protested.

Greece is idyllic in the spring, and the time Roslyn and Owen spend there is unlike anything either of them could have imagined, until they went off to Ayios Georghios, and encounted a surly, sullen Lord James. When he nearly runs over Roslyn during a wild ride downhill, he suddenly seems to wake up to his surroundings--and the beautiful young woman to whom he's previously paid no attention.

How could they not fall in love? It's not a happy situation for any of them, and when they all return to England, their lives are further complicated by the sudden re-appearance of Vanessa and her lover, Benedict Courtenay. It takes some clever plotting on the part of Sir James and his devoted aunt, Lady Gallermayne to find a happy ending for James and Roslyn. It's not so happy for Vanessa and Benedict, who surely didn't deserve one, anyway.

As usual in this books of Sandra Heath, the story could not have taken place at any other time or place than those described. Everything fits so well together, you are right there with the characters, seeing what they see, experiencing what they experience. Reading this book was almost as good as a travelogue, only better in some ways, because of the marvelous writing and the happy-ever-after ending! Scrumptious!