THE WRONG MISS RICHMOND

Author: Sandra Wilson ISBN: 9780709090007 10/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD
Time Period: 1803 Regency

Half-sisters Jane and Christina Richmond are like chalk and cheese, but they adore each other nonetheless. Jane, is light-hearted and impulsive, whereas Christina, the elder, is quiet and reserved, with modest expectations. Jane's fortune wins an advantageous arranged match with Robert, Lord St. Clement, and the sisters and their widowed father travel to Bath for the betrothal. Things soon go wrong as Jane is lured into folly, thanks to the dashing American balloonist, William Grenfell. As the future Lady St. Clement makes an exhibition of herself above Bath's rooftops, Christina is obliged to scurry around trying to save Jane from herself. Meanwhile, Christina has growing feelings for enigmatic Lord St. Clement, whose attitude is strangely ambiguous. Is she fated to forever remain the wrong Miss Richmond?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

There's a sense of 'charm' that is lost in today's historical romances set in the Regency period.  Unlike the classic 'Regency Romances', today's books seem to drive every plot point and obstacle towards the ultimate goal of getting the heroine/hero into bed (whether married or not).  The more traditional Regency Romances drove towards just getting the couple to kiss and admit their feelings in an anguished torrent of feelings.  So it's sometimes nice to read the traditional Regencies.

THE WRONG MISS RICHMOND begins with its male love interest, Robert, deciding on a very practical reason for wanting to marry Miss Jane Richmond.  He hasn't met her before, but makes plans to meet her.  He pooh-poohs Jane's father's letter releasing him from the engagement now that he's wealthy and is very happy with the future.

Meanwhile at the Richmond house, we learn that the elder Richmond daughter, Christina, has been writing Jane's letters to Robert; letters that prompted Robert to like 'Jane' and keep a hold of their marriage in the first place!  Mistaken identities (personalities?) and loyalty play a large part into why this romance continues as long as it does.

It's refreshing that Christina is twenty-five, she's not a blushing debutante, but she is still sheltered and innocent for the most part.  She's a blue-stocking, understanding that her younger sister receives a lot of attention for her looks and money.  There are sometimes moments of jealousy—between the both of them, not just on Christina's side—but their bond is strong.  They genuinely want the other to be happy, even though it means sacrifice.

I judge Robert a little harshly only because he takes a long time to get around to understanding his own heart and taking the steps he needs to make Christina his.  To be fair, the tangled web of deceit and lies that surrounded everyone in this cast would make a monk lose his marbles.  In the end, it is a happy ending all around, despite the almost tragedy that occurs (because of the lies) and everything works out perfectly, as only a romance can make happen.

Alexandra Cenni