Most Recent Retro Read
The Persistent Suitor
by Phyllis Warady
ISBN: 0821749129, 9780821749128
Published April 1995 by Zebra Regency. Also available as ebook.
Mr. Archibald Brainridge, 24, badly dipped due to his gambling addiction, left London for the family home, Brainridge Hall. Archie's father was mad for hunting and poured every groat he could wring from the Hall into his hunting box in Leicestershire. He appointed Archie the estate's new bailiff, and Archie found a new passion in farming, but he still has no money to improve the estate or to marry.
Archie visits his godfather the Earl of Chandos in London, and the old gentleman proposes to settle Archie's debts and make him an adequate allowance if Archie does two things: abstain from all wagering for one year, and marry to provide an heir.
Archie's choice is Miss Isabella Cox, but Bella has her own problems. Bella's father was also a gamester and left her penniless. Archie proposed to Bella, but she turned him down roundly because, after her experience of her father, she did not want to be married to a gamester. When unwanted attentions from the slimy heir of Cox Hall drive Bella from her home, she goes to her aunt Hermione, Lady Ponsonby, in London, who welcomes her and refuses to allow her to find a position as a companion as Bella had planned; instead she outfits her and sees that she meets people.
However, Hermione, a widow, also has problems with an unwanted suitor. She had been an Incomparable in her day but does not go about in society anymore because of her 'little weakness'. Malcolm Grandison, Lord Ponsonby's business partner, has always wanted Hermione and would use what he knows to blackmail Hermione into marrying him. And Archie hasn't given up on Bella either.
This tale is another mixed bag. On the one hand, the characters are lively and engaging, and it's well plotted and paced. On the other, it also suffers from clumsy exposition, often awkward dialog, and one or two odd incidents that strained my sense of disbelief. Such serious material as it does include (gambling, mental illness) is used for humor, which also rendered it less than credible for me. Still, it was entertaining enough to finish, so I give it a mild recommendation if you like lighter fare. (Posted by Janice 5/19/13)
