Scandalizing The Ton
Diane Gaston
Harlequin Historical, October 2008, 276 pp
ISBN-10: 0-373-29516-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-29516-6
England 1818
$5.99 (US) $7.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Teresa
January 2009
After the scandalous death of her husband, Lady Lydia Wexin is left penniless and mired in debt. She also faces daily torment by the press. Virtually a prisoner in her own home, she is accosted one night by an overzealous reporter when she is rescued by Adrian Pomroy, Viscount Cavanley.
Adrian Pomroy, Viscount Cavanley decided to intervene when he came upon a woman being harassed. He soon discovers that she is none other than the widow that all of the papers are writing about. He gallantly helps her home and Lydia, touched by his kindness, allows herself to find comfort in his arms.
Fearful of adding to her already scandalous reputation, Lydia turns Adrian's offer of friendship down. The two part ways, but think of each other often. Unbeknownst to Lydia, Adrian secretly helps her situation in the only way he can. Unfortunately for her, an unexpected complication arises that will turn her already tumultuous life upside down and will have the press salivating.
Scandalizing The Ton was a very well crafted story rife with emotion and turmoil. I empathized with Lydia, her life was fodder for the press and the reporters hounding her at home are akin to the paparazzi of today hounding celebrities. Nothing is sacred and lies are printed. It was a nightmare situation, but she handled herself very well. Adrian was quite literally the perfect hero. He was kind, compassionate and enormously understanding. He was the ideal man for Lydia.
Scandalizing The Ton is sure to wring many emotions from anyone who decides to pick it up, and I recommend they do.