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Lord Compton's Folly [MultiFormat]
eBook by Patricia Harrison
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$7.00 |
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$5.95 |
eBook Category: Romance/Historical Fiction EPPIE Award Finalist
eBook Description: Paris. Peace after Napoleon's wars. Suddenly, to save his friend's life, Richard Handley, Viscount Compton, is plunged into the dangerous intrigues of espionage. Wounded by his arch-enemy, de Clavelle, he is at first suspicious of his rescuer, Mademoiselle Fleur. Is she, too, a spy? He soon discovers the indomitable miss has her own plans for him, and will use any device to get her way. Fleur, orphaned, destitute and of mysterious parentage, faces ruin and a forced marriage. Hope lies in England, but dare she trust this handsome stranger, an enemy of her people? And will her heart betray her? Unsuspected dangers wait in England, threatening not only their burgeoning love, but their very lives...
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, Published: 2004
Fictionwise Release Date: July 2005
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [1.6 MB], eReader (PDB) [343 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [341 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [299 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [269 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [329 KB], hiebook (KML) [757 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [382 KB], iSilo (PDB) [279 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [350 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [391 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [432 KB]
Words: 99473
Reading time: 284-397 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 1-59279-261-8
 
"4.5 Blue Ribbons! A wonderfully written, highly entertaining Regency story that doesn't disappoint. It is not a light Regency Romp, but shows firsthand how Napoleon's war affected the French people, and how anyone who married without their families' consent ended up. Highly recommended--will keep your attention through to the last page."--Chere, Romance Junkies
"5 Angels ... Patricia Harrison has done it again! This enchanting full-length Regency was so good, that this reader did not want it to end. Set in both France and England in the aftermath of Napoleon's downfall, Ms. Harrison's charming romance takes place against a backdrop of espionage, misunderstandings and family drama. With a touch of humor and some very down-to-earth characters, the author had this reader riveted. It is refreshing to read a romance in which the main characters enjoy a budding love, not constant friction. Ms. Harrison keeps her characters true to the Regency period, and they do not step over the boundaries of propriety. I have thoroughly enjoyed this Regency tale and look forward to more of Ms. Harrison's romances. Very highly recommended reading!"--Naomi, Fallen Angel Reviews "4 Hearts ... A magnificent Regency romance. It's beautifully written and thoroughly engrossing. The powerfully vivid characters draw you into the story and keep you turning the pages. Fleur is sweet, generous, compassionate, strong, stubborn, brave and bold--a wonderful mix of traits. Richard, a dreamy hero, just gets sexier and more lovable as the story progresses. The secondary characters are simply delightful, especially Fitz, Richard's best friend. I hope Ms. Harrison plans to make him the hero in one of her future books."--Renee Burnette, The Romance Studio "Well-written and edited, and set solidly in its era ... a notable addition to Regency romance literature. Richard is going through change and maturation, but doesn't yet know what's missing from his life. Fleur is recovering from illness, is thin and gaunt, with her hair chopped off to save her strength, and her spirits have reached a low ebb with her failing efforts to save her beloved home. Ms. Harrison does an excellent job showing how her two protagonists rise to their full potential without magically changing their natures. Treat yourself to Lord Compton's Folly and enjoy a captivating romance both exciting and sweet."--Jane Bowers,, Romance Reviews Today "Readers will be delighted with this amorous and dangerous story about a titled Englishman and a beautiful French woman. The story begins in France, showcasing the devastation of that country because of the fighting and political unrest. The author stayed true to the history of the times and incorporated it skillfully into the story. Also noteworthy in this period were the class distinctions. Readers will feel Fleur's hurt at the hands of the upper class. The author did a superb job of showing this prejudice that was acceptable at this time period. This book also adds an element of suspense with a thrilling adventure for the main characters. Danger, intrigue, and a life-and-death battle ensue, yet readers will smile with satisfaction as the author gently closes this story with the best possible ending. Lord Compton's Folly is a slice of history with a twist of adventure and a lot of love."--Joyce Handzo, In the Library Reviews
CHAPTER 1 Fleur basked in the sunlight pouring through Montigny's kitchen window, savoring the beautiful blue of a sky at last washed free of clouds. Loosening the woolen shawl wrapped around her shoulders, she thought wryly how the world beyond the pane fairly burst with springtime energy, while she, barely in her twenties, felt as weak and lethargic as an old crone. Fleur spread her hands, so thin and bony she hardly recognized them as her own, to the sun's welcome heat. Pray God this bright day was the first of many after days of rain and dismal skies. Now that 1816, "the year without a summer," was at last spent, the whole of Europe prayed for hot, sunny weather and a good harvest. Fleur could hardly believe Dr. Ferrone's journal scientifique that a volcano erupting half a globe away had so badly affected the world's weather. "Marie, where is Gaston?" Fleur asked, turning from the window. "I have not seen him since early this morning." Marie Broussard, her work-roughened hands tucked under her apron, looked up from gloomily studying a single egg lying on the scrubbed wooden table. Her broad countenance lightened at the mention of her husband. "Fishing, he said, M'selle Fleur," Marie answered. Absently she smoothed her dark hair, salted now with a few strands of gray. "I bade him take the cart and gather more wood." "Ah, an excellent notion." Fleur nodded, the lappets of her plain cap brushing her cheeks. Tiredly she crossed to the table and sat down, glancing at the grate where a meager fire flickered. "After all the rain, Gaston will be lucky to find some dry wood. I should be out, too. The vegetable plot needs to be readied for planting, and I must see what new damage the winter has wrought on the house." She repressed a shiver as the chill of the flagstone floor struck through her slippers, but Marie's dark eyes missed nothing. "You should not yet be out of your sickbed," Marie scolded, and hurried to throw the last length of wood into the grate. "Only by the grace of God did the influenza not take you too, as well as your poor dear Maman." Swiftly she made the sign of the cross. "Ah, but the Comtesse was a great lady, for all she was English." Marie gazed into space, her strong features soft with memory. Then she sighed deeply and shrugged her sturdy shoulders. "If these last days her mind dwelt only in the past, and she chose not to linger, who is to blame her? Not I." "Nor I, Marie. She missed Papa so." Fleur blinked against a rush of tears, and then mentally reproached herself. With the house falling about her ears, and no money for repairs, she had no time to indulge in self-pity. Fleur picked up the egg lying on the table and weighed it in her hand. "Is something wrong with this egg, Marie?" "No, but it is the only one I found today. You need better fare than onions and old potatoes if you are to recover your strength and get some meat on your bones." Madame Broussard's expression turned gloomy again. "What are we to do, Fleurette?" As usual, Fleur put aside her own worries and met Marie's concerned frown with a serenity that only Fleur knew was assumed. "Why, save this jewel for a day or so until the hens oblige with another. Then we may have an omelette." Planting her fists on her ample hips, Marie gave a disparaging snort. "You may turn gray waiting for your omelette. I swear those old widow hens lay eggs only from memory." She nodded in approval when Fleur chuckled at her wit. "Ah, it is good to hear you laugh again! Now, Fleurette, what you need–" She broke off, stiffening, and sniffed the air. "My bread!" In alarm she flew to pull the precious loaves from the oven, muttering with her back turned, "If we must eat black bread like peasants, it need not be burnt as well." Fleur hardly heard, so used was she to Marie's grumbling. Marie, affectionate and fiercely loyal, loved to complain, but woe to anyone outside Montigny who dared to find fault. Watching Marie set the round, fragrant rye bread on a rack, Fleur tried not to think how she was to hold Montigny together for another year. Everything of value had already been sold. All that remained was the house with its few arpents of land. Perhaps the influenza had sapped her spirit as well as her body, but today the future looked very bleak indeed. A sudden desperation gripped Fleur so intensely she almost cried aloud. The kitchen swam dizzily about her, her vision darkened, and she wondered vaguely if this was how one felt when one swooned. She fought against the sensation, and the moment passed, leaving her weak and shaken. "Oh, Jupiter's halls!" she cried, setting down the egg with a smack that made Marie gasp in fear for its shell. "I feel so helpless, so useless. There must be something more I can do." Copyright © 2002 by Barbara Clark
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