"A Wonderful Traditional Regency"

Kate Rendell is 24, past marriageable age, but she lives happily on the family estate with her widowed mother. She is strong-willed, stubborn and very sure of herself. So when she meets Harry Gerard, Lord Ainsworth, she is unprepared for his harsh assessment of her character. Lord Ainsworth has come to Rendell Hall, because he is looking for a painting done by an ancestor of his, but the beautiful young woman wearing a Persian shawl in the painting, has a strong, arrogant look. Kate assures Harry that the picture is not for sale, that it is a painting of a great aunt of hers. He is not surprised, because the arrogant young woman reminds him very much of Kate herself. Kate is taken aback by his comparison of the painting's subject to herself, for she has always disliked the woman in the picture. This chance encounter leaves Kate reviewing her own character.

Soon after, Kate and her mother are invited to the home of her Uncle Charles and Aunt Madge. A party from London is coming down for a fortnight, and Kate and Lady Isabel are delighted to attend. Kate is excited to see her nineteen year old cousin Deirdre, who immediately announces to Kate that she is engaged. When Kate learns that Harry Gerard is part of the party of guests she assumes that Deidre is in love with him. This thought bothers Kate for she has not been able to forget the handsome Lord who challenged her, and it is rumored that Harry is a rake.

THE GIRL IN THE PERSIAN SHAWL is a delightful, traditional Regency. Kate is a wonderfully strong character in the tradition of Jane Austen's Emma. Harry Gerard is very likeable, solid and the perfect gentleman, and the fact that he has a slightly receding hairline only enhances his charms. Ms. Mansfield has provided a charming cast of secondary characters: from Lady Isabel who carries her embroidery around with her constantly, to her impressionable cousin Deirdre who falls in love with every man she can. There is also Sir Percy, who wants to marry an heiress desperately, and elderly Lord Tyndale who may finally give up his old-fashioned ways for love. For anyone who enjoys the Regency period THE GIRL IN THE PERSIAN SHAWL is a must-read!

Reviewed by Cynthia Meidinger
Posted November 11, 2002

The anxiously-awaited return of the award-winning, bestselling author, Elizabeth Mansfield, author of more than 20 Regency romances.

Summary

In Suffolk, every unmarried young lady knows that, if she ever wants to find a match, she must walk, speak, eat, even laugh properly. A young woman looking to marry is always sweet and demure, charming and gracious, and, of course, deferential. But not Kate Rendell. An anomaly, Kate could not care less what people think of her and her tendency to speak her mind. Her suitors have all taken a disliking to this quirk of hers--and taken flight. And Kate has not minded. That is, until one man walks into her life...

When Harry Gerard, Lord Ainsworth, calls upon Kate to view her family's much-admired painting of a girl with a Persian shawl, his hostess's rudeness takes him by surprise, and he leaves confused. But for all the gall she displayed during his visit, Kate finds herself thinking about him more and more. And she would never let anything stand between herself and the object of her desire--even if the obstacle is her beloved cousin...