THE SINGULAR MISS CARRINGTON

Author: Barbara Hazard ISBN: 9780709084600 1/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE, LTD.
Time Period: Regency

Miss Claire Carrington was the most independent young lady ever to scandalise the London ton with her refusal to bow or the dictates of fashion or the rules of ladylike deportment. Andrew Tyson, the Marquess of Blagdon, was the most elegant and dashing gentleman that any husband-hunting beauty could want as her perfect match. Clearly Miss Carrington and Lord Tyson were as different as night and day. In fact, there was only one thing in the world on which they agreed. Both would do anything to avoid the trap of marriage, even if their only way of escape lay in pretending to love each other...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE SINGULAR MISS CARRINGTON by Barbara Hazard is more amusing than most Regency novels. It begins on a high note, holds to that standard throughout and, right until the very last page, delights. I loved Miss Carrington. She is, hands down, one of the most intelligent, steely-backboned heroines the ton has had in a long, long time. And Andrew, the marquess with such handsome good looks (and intriguing blonde eyebrows!) is the perfect counterpart for Claire.

Claire Carrington is no fan-fluttering fool. She firmly believes men to be unnecessary, thinking she hasn't any use at all for that half of the species. After being raised by her Aunt Flora to feel she is as self-sufficient as any male, she refuses, time and again, offers of marriage. Andrew's sister and mother, and, it seems, all of his acquaintances, push him toward marriage at every turn. He has no desire to marry an insipid female just to satisfy the dictates of society. After overhearing Claire vehemently-and with a smack to punctuate her point-turn down another proposal, Andrew confronts Claire and makes a proposal of his own. Perhaps if they band together, appear to all who watch so closely to be infatuated with each other, they will finally be free and clear of all suitors? Claire agrees, provided Andrew agree to one condition: he is not to fall in love with her. He agrees and a bargain is struck.

What follows is heartwarming and amusing, filled with wit and social commentary cleverly disguised by a well-crafted tale. So many high points in this story bring a smile to mind. Claire and Andrew's shared waltz, the reader privy to every exchange between them, is one of the best moments in a novel filled with great moments. Claire, with all the grace and aplomb of a true lady, manages to smile at Andrew's sister while Lady Peakes throws daggers with her gaze. The whole episode is humorless, especially when Claire allows that not all of the ton are as silly and worthless as she had thought!

THE SINGULAR MISS CARRINGTON by Barbara Hazard is a gem. I loved it and I think all admirers of Regency romance will love it, too.

Kay James