Gift of Violets

My all time favorite book. I remember reading this book in highschool and 10 times after. My copy was split in half so I'm happy to finally have a readable copy. Reading it now again. My heart

Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast all rolled up into one story. But this is no fairytale life for our lovely Viola Marchmont. What a sweet, loving heroine. She prays for the scarred Giorgio Michieli who was somehow betrayed by her father during a diplomatic mission years earlier. Giorgio comes to her father who is on his second tour as ambassador in Italy, and demands 100,000 pounds and marriage to one of Sir Anthony's three daughters to atone for the betrayal. So Giorgio becomes part of their life as he courts the young ladies. Viola, the youngest at 17, is not yet out. She is more of a household drudge catering to her two lovely and pampered older sisters! Yet, she is the first to have greeted Giorgio and her loving attitude towards him seems catch his attention. We get to see them interact on many occasions before he tells Sir Anthony which daughter he wants to marry. Eleanor and Bernice are appalled at a possible marriage to the penniless and horribly scarred Giorgio, so it is a great relief to them when he selects Viola. The sisters actually become jealous upon the realization that Giorgio is quite wealthy and showers Viola with jewelry, beautiful clothes and a lovely hilltop mansion. But Viola feels she is living a lie since Giorgio has married her only for revenge and has not made her his true wife. She harbors deep love and affection for him but the closer she draws towards him, the further away he withdraws! He has not loved anyone since her father's betrayal caused the death of all in his family (parents and young sister). You will be entranced by the descriptions of Italy. Since I have rarely read a Regency locale outside of England or perhaps Vienna, it was very interesting. Plus, there is a mystery to solve and Viola's life is endangered by the intrigue surrounding Giorgio. Can he learn to love again? And what of her rather obnoxious sisters? Other side characters, Viola's maid and other assorted friends are well fleshed out and a pleasure to meet. As always, enjoyable reading from this author who also writes as Janet Louise Roberts and Rebecca Danton.