Although no whisky was broached in making this post, you’ll have your own favourite tipple, or hot or cold drink, to complete your enjoyment of a good book. I hope you’ll agree Mariah’s Marriage is a good book. Marjorette thought so and in giving it five ***** on amazon, said:
“Doesn’t it give you a thrill to see `London 1822′ at the beginning of a book? You know you’re about to be transported back to the elegant Regency era. Here, we know right away that Mariah is not typical of her class – `She’d just spent an hour teaching sixty urchins their letters …’ As she leaves the schoolroom and stumbles on the street to avoid a charging pig, she is caught by a passing stranger. This is the man we later find to be Toby Longreach, seventh Earl of Mellon `who walked with an air that told Mariah he was used to command’. The course of their subsequent relationship is thwarted at various turns, climaxing with the headstrong Mariah being in real danger from the obnoxious, debt-stricken Sir Lucas Wellwood who is determined that his sister will marry Toby.
Mariah and Toby are real flesh-and-blood characters and I loved their story – look forward to hearing more from Anne Stenhouse.”
You will be hearing more, Marjorette when Bella’s Betrothal joins Mariah’s Marriage in the autumn. Meantime if anyone is looking for a relaxing weekend read, this is for you:
Mariah’s Marriage, London 1822
She increased her step and left the safety of the pavement without sufficient attention. A loose pig charged toward them and she backed instinctively, catching her foot against the kerbstone and falling into the arms of a passing stranger.
“I say, sir,” Peter began, but his blustering was quelled into silence.
Mariah was dimly aware of him holding back while the stranger lifted her from danger. The strength flowing from her rescuer calmed her nerves, and she lay against his chest for a long moment. It was not until she realised he was struggling to keep laughter at bay that she wriggled to be free.
“My escort is right, sir,” she protested. “While I thank you for rescuing me from an inglorious bump, I am quite able to stand.”
“I regret that very much,” the stranger said, and his voice held warmth Mariah was sure must draw others to him. “However, I cannot allow my baser instincts to take advantage over such a fortuitous meeting.” He re-positioned her on the flagstones, keeping hold of her elbow for a moment or two.
Mariah straightened her bonnet and brushed down her clothes while she regained a little self-possession. The stranger was not as young as she might have thought at first, probably around thirty years of age. He had good colour, indicating he spent much time out of doors, and he carried himself with an air that told Mariah he was used to command. She suspected he might be an army officer or half-pay captain.
“Out of harm’s way, ma’am,” the stranger said, and she recognised the accent of her late mama’s county, Somerset. “The streets are very busy at this time in the day. Why, I was nearly bowled over myself two minutes ago by a troop of urchins fleeing from this very building.”
Buy your e-copy here (and many other on-line stores):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/mariah-s-marriage?keyword=mariah%27s+marriage&store=ebook