Lady in Waiting

Lady in Waiting by Nicole Byrd is the story of Circe and David. Circe met David in the earlier book Dear Imposter [2001] and announce she would marry him some day. Circe is a fun artist who knows more than the standard women of the times. This book has a great romance, mystery and great secondard story lines.

Circe Hill had fallen in love with David, earl of Westbury when she was 12 and prayed he would wait just six more years for her to grow up. The very talented girl did grow up and as a very accomplished artist even if the Royal Academy did not recognize women in their society - her passion would become her art. Not willing to conform, she would let her art substitute for her the confines of being a dutiful wife. Having spent two years studying on the continent she would try to make her sister happy by agreeing to have `a come out season'. David had not married, in his conscious mind, he would never have the type of marriage he had seen throughout his childhood where harsh words were the norm. He would find for himself a quiet, proper and biddable young woman to marry and have his children - never to repeat the domestic wars he had grown up with. At least, that was until Circe re-entered his life and the brotherly affections he once held no longer applied. As Circe did her best to honor her sisters dreams of a wonderful season for her debut and after she had been accosted several times, David who was trying to remain impartial to her charms, began to realize that he just might lose the most important person in his life. This sequel to `Dear Imposter' had a very nice little plot as the central characters advanced from family friends to a more passionate level. Loved the scene in the attic where Circe examined David in order to paint him nude. Very nice - not overly sensual but a nice little mystery.

By 1822, Circe Hill feels her unrequited love for David Lydford will remain one sided though she has wished seemingly forever otherwise. However, David needs to court someone as a disguise to hide a dangerous diplomatic mission he performs so he rationalizes that Circe because of her perfect lineage and unquestionable respectability is the one. However, he really selects Circe because to him she will always be the kid sister of the wife of his best friend and so passion and love will never enter the equation.However six years have passed since David last seen Circe who has just returned from studying art with the continent's masters. The Circe of his memory is not the beautiful woman enticing his heart and soul. This makes his mission even more dangerous as he struggles to concentrate on anything but the woman he now loves.Readers who desire an action packed Regency romance starring two delightful protagonists need not wait any longer as Nicole Byrd delivers the goods with her latest tale, LADY IN WAITING. The story line would be typical of the sub-genre except for the strong cast that includes the return of the stars of the delightful DEAR IMPOSTOR and intriguing refreshing subplots that cleverly tie back to the prime courting theme. The lead couple charms the audience as Circe tries to seduce her initially unwilling but soon convert David into a lifetime together, which leaves the audience psyched for Ms. Byrd's next triumph.Harriet Klausner

A sequel to "Dear Impostor," "Lady In Waiting" by Nicole Byrd is a lively and charming romance novel that is sure to please. Miss Circe Hill has spent the last few years living in the Continent, learning to paint and broadening her horizons; and she's been having a wonderful time. Now, however she's received a missive from her elder sister, Psyche, begging her to come home and have a London Season. It's the very last thing she wants to do; but feeling that she has a duty to oblige her sister, Circe reluctantly packs up and leaves for London. Only the thought that she will again meet David Lydford, the Earl of Westbury (her brother-in-law's best friend), a gentleman she has secretly been in love with for a long time, sustains her. Perhaps now that she has attained a measure of sophistication David will finally recognise that she is a woman worthy of courting?But almost as soon as she meets David again, she realises that her hopes are doomed. For David has metamorphosed from a rakish and elegant young man to a very proper and correct one. David has decided that it is about time that he marry and set up his nursery. And the type of wife he has decided on is the very antithesis of Circe: a meek, biddable and very proper young lady. However, right now he needs Circe to agree to a pretend courting just so that can get his mother off his back (so he says: actually he's on a secret mission for his uncle, and he needs a cover). Circe, while she is saddened that she does not match David's requirements for a wife, agrees to help him out, even if she does sense that there's something else going on! And so the charade begins -- but not entirely to David liking. For David never anticipated that so many other men would find Circe with her forthright and unconventional ways so appealing. And he soon finds himself torn between carrying out his surveillance mission, and (jealously) keeping an eye on the suddenly popular Circe, esp now that she has attracted the attention of a rather dangerous Austrian diplomat..."Lady In Waiting" was an entirely witty, breezy and really delightful read. The badinage between the very clever Circe and the sometimes really dense David were an absolute joy to read. Nicole Byrd (the mother and daughter team of Cheryl Zach & Michelle Place) really struck gold with this book. The conversations and prose style was smooth and lively, and the storyline -- the developing romance between Circe and David, and the various subplots involving Austrian agents, a stolen Titian, and another romance involving two other secondary characters -- was entertaining and stimulating to boot. "Lady In Waiting" is definitely a read not to be missed!