Stolen Love

Having read Ms. Jewel's more recent novel, "Lord Ruin" which is a fabulous read, I looked for anything else that this talented author had written and found this older (1991) book. I am still looking for an even earlier novel "Passion's Song" but no luck so far!Elizabeth Willard had been a childhood friend of the very, handsome and dashing Nicolas Villines until the difference in their ages and fortune thrust them apart. Some four years later of having not `seen' one another, Elizabeth, and her cousin Amelia Willard were being presented to Society. Both girls were expected to find husbands and with the fortune behind the very beautiful Amelia this would be accomplished in one season. Elizabeth on the other hand, the `poor relation' would be reminded by her well meaning but clueless aunt that without a fortune her prospects would not be so bright. With her reticence, and charm though, it would be the more discerning gentlemen who would recognize her true worth including and especially, Nicolas Villines, the man who had stolen Elizabeth's heart long ago.Elizabeth would soon find that the close childhood friend had changed from the secretive man he had become. Conversely, while Nicolas continued to think of Elizabeth as a child he would have to soon reconcile himself that she had grown up and the feelings she was instilling in him were not those for a child. This was a very nice book, good dialog, interesting characterizations, but a rather simple plot that was easy to discern. Very pleasant book, but my one complaint would be that as the seduction is so tastefully, and sensually portrayed - you had to wait too long to get to it.