Valentine [Mass Market Paperback]

Jane Feather (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

From beguiling New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather comes this classic tale brimming with intrigue and passion.
 
A quirk of fate has made Sylvester Gilbraith the heir of his sworn enemy, the earl of Stoneridge. But there’s a catch: To claim his inheritance, he has to marry one of the earl’s four granddaughters. The magnetically handsome nobleman has no choice but to comply with the terms of the will, yet when he descends on Stoneridge Manor prepared to charm his way into a fortune, he finds that the lady who intrigues him most has no intention of becoming his bride. Maddeningly beautiful and utterly impossible, Theodora Belmont refuses to admit to the chemistry between them, even when she’s passionately locked in his embrace. But soon the day will come when the raven-haired vixen will give anything to be Sylvester’s bride—and risk everything to defend his honor . . . and his life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To claim a rich inheritance, Sylvester Galbraith must marry one of the four granddaughters of his sworn enemy, the earl of Stoneridge. But the one who catches his eye and wins his heart has no intention of becoming his bride. Yet soon the day will come when Theodora Belmont will give anything to be Sylvester's wife--and risk everything she has to defend his honor and his life. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Major Sylvester Gilbraith's regiment lost a decisive battle to the French on the shores of Portugal. Gravely injured, Sylvester survived a year in a French prison camp. On his return to England he is brought before a military tribunal, accused of cowardice for surrendering to the enemy. He cannot even defend himself because he has no memory of the fateful battle in which he was gravely wounded. The charge of cowardice clings to him and old friends, even fellow soldiers, turn their backs. He is ostracized from proper society. To add to his troubles, Sylvester learns he has just inherited the title of his family's sworn enemy, the Earl of Stoneridge. He won't inherit the money to keep up the estate, however, unless he marries one of the old earl's granddaughters. He has a month to convince one of the girls to become his bride. If he does not succeed, the girls will learn they inherit all of the wealth that goes along with the estate, and the new Earl will be left penniless. Sylvester soon learns that only one of the Earl's granddaughters, Theodora, is suitable for him. The young lady in question has no intention of marrying a Gilbraith. Theodora clings to her family's hatred of the Gilbraith clan, and ignores Sylvester's overtures, but she has a harder time ignoring the passion between them. Finally, Sylvester charms her into marrying him. But can he trust her? What will happen to the lovers' tentative truce if Theodore learns the true terms of her grandfather's will, that she would have been independently wealthy without marrying him? And how can he possibly tell this woman about his greatest shame? More than anything, he fears that the charges of cowardice may be true. Sylvester needs to search for the answers, but he can't bring himself to confide in Theodora or to ask for her help, not even when his life is threatened during his search for the truth.Rich characters and nonstop action! Ms. Feather writes with wit and humor. Her characters are delightful! This one is hard to put down!Annette Carney -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553564706
• ISBN-13: 978-0553564709
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great character-driven romance, September 15, 2008

By 

J. Bergin (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Valentine (Mass Market Paperback)

Over the weekend I re-read Valentine by Jane Feather. This is a classic marriage-of-convenience book written in 1995, and it has a treasured space on my keeper shelf. I think what I like about it so much is the characters -- not just the hero and shero, but the secondary characters as well.

In this story, 35-year-old Sylvester Gilbraith learns that his eldely cousin has died, making Sylvester the new 5th Earl of Stonebridge. Unfortunately for Sylvester, however, the crafty old earl had arranged his will in such a way that while Sylvester inherits the entailed title and three houses that go along with the title, he does not inherit one acre of land or one pound of the old earl's fortune...UNLESS, that is, he can marry, on one month's time, one of the old earl's four granddaughters. So Sylvester sets off for his new home, fully intending to offer for one of the young women, whether they suit or not. Once arrived at Stonebridge, he discovers that the eldest daughter is already engaged, the youngest daughter is but 12, and the second-eldest daughter -- his natural choice, given her age -- would not suit him in the least. That leaves the third-eldest daughter, Theodora: fifteen years his junior, her grandfather's favorite, and a frighteningly competent and strong-willed steward of the estate. Sylvester and Theo naturally spark off one another upon their very first meetting, but Theo's mother Elinor, informed by Sylvester of the details of the old earl's will, agree that they may suit perfectly and so Sylvester sets off to woo his prickly bride.

What I liked about Theo and Sylvester's relationship is that, in general, they're both very much up-front with each other about their feelings and reactions. Theo, who loved her grandfather intensely and still grieves the loss of her father when she was a child, is heartbroken over the old man's death and views Sylvester very much as an unwelcome intruder. But she also instinctively recognizes, as do the rest of her family members, that Sylvester is, at the core of him, a nice man. He doesn't try to shove them out of their home, and it's Sylvester who comforts Theo when the dam breaks and she finally grieves in earnest. There's an instant sexual attraction between Sylvester and Theo, and while he's not above using that attraction to help lure Theo in, he's not callous or unfeeling. Theo, for her part, is honest enough to admit that part of her hesitancy to accept Sylvester's suit is due to the fact that she fears he will swallow her up...that she'll lose her identity and sense of Self as his wife. But it's clear that that's not something Sylvester wants. He WANTS them to have a partnership and not a relationship in which he dominates.

The conflict in this story has to do with an event in Sylvester's past, when he was an officer in the Napoleonic Wars. Unfortunately, he sustained a head injury during the final battle and was then imprisoned for twelve months by the French, and he cannot remember important events of that last battle. But there are accusations of cowardice and he was court-martialed, although he was acquited. Still, despite his acquittal, his reputation has suffered, and since he can't quite recall the events in question, there's little he can do to clear his name. Gradually, though, the pieces start to fall into place and Theo insists on helping him uncover the truth, whether he wants her help or not. Initially he's hesitant to involve her, mostly because he fears her reaction and he can't bear the thought that she would look at him with suspicion and believe the accusations of cowardice, but he learns soon enough that Theo has his back, both literally and figuratively, and that she won't be shut out of his private battles.

In my mind, this is not necessarily a strong A-rating book, but it still hits all the right chords for me. What wins me over with a romance is the characters, and I loved the relationship between Theo and Sylvester. There were no games between them and neither had to pretend to be something he or she wasn't, and their relationship has all the markings of a true partnership. This is one of those books in which I turned the last page and immediately began imagining what the rest of their life would be like together. I have no doubt that that there would be respect and friendship and deep mutual love, punctuated by moments of temperamental fireworks. Which all in all, I guess, sounds just wonderful.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Older man and younger woman- hot, July 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Valentine (Mass Market Paperback)

First of all, the HEROINE's name is Theo, one of 4 sisters. The HERO's name is Sylvester, once accused of cowardice during the Napoleonic Wars! He is 15 years older, darker, brooding, etc. She is called a "hoyden, wild, and impulsive". The story concerns their love and the problems they solve together.
I wish reviewers could SPELL correctly! A typical Jane Feather- great plot, dialogue, etc. All of her books enthrall me.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Romance has to offer . . ., September 21, 2000

By 

Sakura (Miami, FL . . . USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Valentine (Mass Market Paperback)

This, quite plainly, is the best romance novel I've ever had the pleasure of engrossing myself into. It was the 1ST romance novel I read & I realized that I continue to read everyone I come across to see if it will equal up to Valentine, Unfortunately, they never do. The use of language is exquisite, the characters are sensual yet quirky and the plot easily followed but hard to guess at. Gabrielle is funny, innocent, stubborn, and hopelessly in love while her sensual counterpart, Slyvester is strong, cumbersome, forceful, and in charge of every situation. Buy it, Read it, Love it, Dream it. Valentine. & if you liked Valentine, Vice, also Jane Feather, and Master of Midnight, by Penelope Neri will also capture your heart.