3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a Secret !, June 7, 2000
This review is from: Lady Knightley's Secret (Hardcover)
You'll soon find out the secret at the beginning of the book but the hero didn't know till the end. The traditional Regency Romance is to have a maiden heroine to partner an experienced hero. Well, this one has a twist - what if our hero found out on the wedding night that his bride was no virgin ? He lost his temper and wouldn't let her explain, then rushed off to another woman's bed. Hardly endearing, isn't it ? But then when he was about to lose her to a fatal disease, he found that he loved her despite what happened in her past and no explanation was necessary. The latter part of the story was about how he re-gained her trust. You may get angry with men's double standard, though the hero did re-deem himself. An original plot though it was hard to believe such a secret could be kept so long. By the way, Dr Carrington first appeared in this book before 'Lady Jane's Physician'.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a first rate read, November 19, 2001
When Miss Elizabeth Beresford goes to visit her old school friend, Lady Verity Dartwood, she little expects Sir Richard Knightley to be the Dartwood's guest as well. Both Elizabeth's and Richard's parents had planned for the two to marry, but weeks after her father's death, Elizabeth informed Richard that she had no intention of marrying him and promptly left the neighbourhood to live with her maternal grandmother. Now the two meet for the first time in years, and Richard is quite amazed in the change in Elizabeth. For she grown into a very beautiful and competent young lady. He would like nothing better than to spend time getting to know this new and intriguing Elizabeth better, but she seems equally determined in keeping him at arm's length. And then Elizabeth's nasty sister descends for a visit, and she sets in motion events that end in Richard's proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. And then, Richard realises that Elizabeth is not a virgin. Ranting and raving like a spoilt child, Richard cruelly lashes out at Elizabeth, before he leaves her, making for London. Once there, Richard indulges in several flirtations, setting the ton on its ears. As his anger cools, he realises that he must decide whether or not to go back to his wife and try to make this marriage work, or to end everything.
But can he be sure that Elizabeth will want to continue being his wife, especially given his cruel and taunting words to her before he deserted her?
The previous reviewer's view about the double standard involved concerning a groom's desire that his bride be lily-white pure and virginal is quite accurate. I certainly wanted to hurl several breakable objects at Sir Richard Knightley's head when he started to rant and rave at Elizabeth's not being a virgin. Especially since the novel actually opens with Richard relieving his nurse of her virginity (she refuses to marry him because she senses that he does not love her). The irony of the whole thing never really seems to hit Richard, nor disappointingly is it ever really discussed in the book. However, "Lady Knightley's Secret" had proved to be highly engrossing reading up to that point, so I persevered, and was rewarded. This romance novel was a truly excellent read. Anne Ashley writing style is engaging and intelligent, and she handled the entire issue of Richard's anger and Elizabeth's pain in a very capable manner. And, thankfully, she rehabilitates Richard halfway through the book (who displays a surprising capacity for mature and discriminating behaviour), so that the reader is able to see Richard as a 'hero' after all, and worthy of the Elizabeth's love and devotion. I liked the various subplots that revolved around the main plot and made this novel a lot more interesting than it otherwise might have been. But most of all, I liked that character of Elizabeth Beresford, who turned out to be one of the most intelligent, capable and nicest of heroines I've ever come across. "Lady Ashley's Secret" is definitely a first rate read.
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