Drusilla's Downfall (Signet Regency Romance) [Paperback]

Emily Hendrickson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Regency Romance | Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Drusilla Herbert, a rector’s daughter, is sent to assist the ailing Marchioness of Brentford at her son’s country estate. Who would have though she would become entangled in intrigues of the ton? Adrian Richmond, Marquis of Brentford, mistakes Drusilla’s mission as being one to provide herself with a generous bequest—and he’ll have none of it. Regency Romance by Emily Hendrickson; originally published by Signet

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Because it will provide a bit of a change from her ordinary, dull life as a vicar's daughter, Drusilla Herbert eagerly accepts the offer to be a companion to Lady Brentford, one of her mother's old school friends. After hearing a friend fulsomely praise his mother's new companion, Adrian Richmond, the marquess of Brentford, becomes convinced the girl is nothing more than a scheming female bent on charming his mother out of her money. A past disagreeable experience of his own with the fairer sex has left Adrian distrustful of all women, and he arrives home determined to send Drusilla on her way. Much to Adrian's surprise, once he meets the competent and capable Drusilla, he is the one being taken to task for ignoring his dear mother! A country house party provides a cozy setting for several romantic entanglements, including the entertaining clashes between Drusilla and Adrian, in this sweet and charming Regency. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451209230
• ISBN-13: 978-0451209238
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A house-party story -- with a twist!, July 11, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Drusilla's Downfall (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

While the books of Emily Hendrickson have been consistently popular throughout the years, I must admit that they've not always been among my favorites. Certainly, her research cannot be faulted; one could spend many futile hours searching for an anachronism to pop up in one of her books. They are entirely accurate as to time and place and costume and speech, and the reader always knows where and when the story is set. These are elements I find essential in the enjoyment of a Regency novel, but yet, they aren't quite enough in themselves for complete enjoyment of a book.

This book, however, was a very pleasant surprise: I truly enjoyed every minute of it. It seemed to have more of a life of its own, perhaps, than her previous books. And, too, the main characters created more sparks than usual, it seemed to me.

When I was growing up, the preacher's kids were always the biggest hell-raisers in town. And while the heroine here, Miss Drusilla Herbert isn't exactly in that category, she's certainly no meek little mouse, either. Not by a long shot! She's smart, sensible, kind-hearted, and very out-spoken, when it seems appropriate, and perhaps sometimes when it isn't quite. She's a charmer, through and through.

As one of six children (of a parish rector, to be sure) she's learned tolerance along with her other skills and attributes, and when the Marchioness of Brentford (a schoolfriend of Drusilla's mother) needs a companion while recuperating from an illness, Drusilla would seem to fill the bill admirably. Off she goes to Brentford Court.

In London, meanwhile, Adrian, the current Marquess, hears tales of his mother's house party and new companion, which rub him entirely the wrong way. How dare his mother be having parties if she's supposed to be ill? And just who is this companion anyway? She needn't think she'll benefit in any way from tending his mother. Oh, no! He'll go home and straighten this matter out in short order, send the companion packing, and then be able to resume his active life in town once again.

Adrian's good friend, Lord Ives, joins the house-party as does the woman Adrian's mother thinks could just make a good next marchioness, the Lady Felicia Tait. There are also several older folks including Lord Osman, who's taken quite a shine to the current marchioness.

From their first meeting, the sparks fly between Adrian and Drusilla, much to the surprise of both of them. He thinks she's an interfering and meddlesome minx, and she thinks he's an uncaring town beau. Her tart tongue sets him straight as to his mother, but he still harbors doubts about Drusilla. She begins to wonder if her earlier assessment of him was correct, after all. Of course, she's hardly a suitable match for him, but then, there is Lord Ives who at least seems to appreciate her. Until he is drawn more and more to Lady Felicia.

This is the premise of this delightful house-party book, which departs from the norm with its cast of supporting characters, and a neat twist in the plot before all is revealed. We end up with not just one happy match, but three!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice light story to wile away the time, June 7, 2006

By 

capritt (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drusilla's Downfall (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I have read the other reviewer who states that the ending has an extra day popped in despite story line. I suggest you read the story properly. I re-read it after reading your review because I couldn't remember it. Although the author spends some time discussing the events from when the appointment is made to when the appointment is held it is definitely only one night that passes.
The story was nicely written and everything flowed along nicely and I liked the characted development, especially of Adrian. Reminded me of Margaret Moore's - The Dark Duke. Very similar story lines.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Amazing how some books get published!, March 7, 2004

By 

S. Reader "scibarfan" (Franklin, TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Drusilla's Downfall (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I frequently contemplated tossing this book, both literally and figuratively. I picked it up based on the other reviews, but it hardly deserves such accolades. The only reason I managed to finish it is that somewhere past halfway through, the author finally caught my attention with the primary romance.

Other than that, however, the book is a mess. There are plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, like the one near the end of the book when the hero plans to propose the next day and sets a appointment with the heroine, who thinks she's about to be dismissed as his mother's companion. The next thing you know, it's another day and then another night -- the author added an extra day and no one caught it before publication. In addition, only one secondary character is developed enough to stand out from the crowd; the rest are both interchangeable and changeable. It is as though the author changed the personalities, motivations, and personalities of her characters just to suit her vapid plot. Things happen, not as a result of who the characters are (for that seems to change with alarming regularity), but merely to achieve an end. In other words, most of the action is imposed upon the characters rather than stemming from them. Another example of the wretched characterization is that one of the hero's friends is repeatedly described in terms that make the reader wonder how on earth the two men could possibly be friends.

I almost never judge an author by a single book, but this may be one time I do. Give this book a pass. It is not worth your time.