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The Pilfered Plume

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In real life, as in fiction, one frequently encounters the `eternal triangle'. Then, too, there are occasions when couples change partners, going to opposite corners of the rectangle, but how often does one encounter a pentangle? (Is that even a word?) What else would one call an entanglement of three women and two men? Obviously one of them will be left out in the cold, but which one?

Sandra Heath once again proves her standing as one of the most talented authors currently writing, in this story of requited and un-requited love, believable falsehoods and improbable truths. All five of the main characters are completely entangled in this complex but highly satisfying tale.

Miss Linnet Carlisle, who was orphaned at an early age, had gone to London to stay with her guardian, an elderly uncle, Joseph Carlisle. After a disastrous night of gambling, however, the old man not only lost the family home, Radleigh Hall, but proceeded to take his life rather than face up to the disappointment of his young niece. Unfortunately, this gambling debt was in favor of Lord Nicholas Fenton, with whom Linnet thought she was in love. But there were rumors of cheating, followed by more rumors of Nicholas carrying on with the infamous demi-rep Judith Jordan. So it was hardly to be wondered at, that the besieged young woman promptly took herself off to the Lake District and her equally elderly great-aunt Minton of Grasmere. There she could be safe from horrid whispers and eager tattles.

A year later, however, when her friend, Venetia, the widowed--and very young and attractive--Lady Hartley, came to visit, she brought along her half-brother, Benedict Gresham, just returned from India. It soon became quite clear that Benedict was attracted to Linnet, with the goal of persuading her to return to London for at least a short visit. As they were becoming better acquainted, Benedict confessed his fear that Venetia was enamored of the poet Samuel Coleridge. The married gentleman had been staying with his friend William Wordsworth who also lived nearby in the Lake District.

Although Linnet did not want to meet up with Nicholas again, she did miss the attractions of the metropolis, and finally agreed to the trip. Great-aunt Minton was to accompany them, serving not only as chaperone but also hostess to Linnet, while taking up residence at her own home, Carlisle House, on Charles Street.

The two young women plunged into the whirlwind of London's social world, accompanied by Benedict, and occasionally, young Freddy Grainger, who was believed to be considering Venetia for his wife. Almost immediately, however, they ran afoul of Ms. Jordan, who was seemingly everywhere.

Without ever dropping any of these skeins, the author takes us through a social season in London, as Venetia plans the betrothal ball of Linnet and Benedict, in spite of warnings from Nicholas. Freddy suddenly no longer knows Linnet, whereas Ms. Jordan apparently knows too much.

Eventually, all works out as it should, but when the villain of the piece is finally unmasked two pages before the end of the book, it should appear as a great surprise to the reader. It certainly did to this one!

This is a marvelous example of the writer's craft in keeping multiple story lines moving briskly along, while entertaining the reader with every word. Brava--Sandra Heath!