The Ghost and Lady Alice [Large Print]

There's no such thing as ghosts... are there? Poor abused scullery maid Alice makes a plea "I wish you were here now sir" to the portrait of the Eighth Duke of Haversham (Gervase) -and suddenly there he is! Surprised to be alive, he promises to meet Alice again later and begins his hedonistic after-life, stealing food, loving women (four a night!) and causing havoc in the Tenth Duke's home. He is an unusual ghost in that he eats, loves and can make solid objects pass through walls. But back to poor Alice! After almost being raped by the "Groom of the Chambers," she calls on the Duke again and he appears in time to save her. Then he whisks her off to a secret room where he comes up with the idea of making her into a lady. Dressing her, teaching her French to cover her accent and gathering buried jewels he remakes her into the Comtesse de la Valle-Chenevix. Alice is Cinderella to a specter "Godmother." She even gets to go to the ball - well a masquerade. Gervase wants her off his hands and married. Acting as her Uncle, he sets her up in London with a companion who paves the way among the ton. Then back to his former estate to write his memoirs. But all is not ending happy for Alice. Her piteous call to him results in saving her from an unsavory fiancée. Then she is set up with a new companion and a new love interest quite different from the first ones. Is this the end? What of the love she still harbors for her handsome ghost? I shall leave you to read the ending for intrigue and trouble still follow our hapless heroine. And what is the story behind the strange new companion? Can a dead man love again? Spellbinding story! This is worth reading because it is so unusual - and ends unusual also. Also, this novel is filled with just enough trauma and wonderful romance.

I simply loved this book and have read it several times. The author did a particulrly good job of making the 18th century ghost seem foriegn but attractive in Alice's 19th century world. I thought the ghost very charming and attractive as a hero.

Marion Chesney travels from her norm, to delight and entertain a rakish ghost! While he's enjoying being brought back from the dead, he promises to return the favor of scullery maid Alice, by helping her to become a lady of quality. Attempted murder, subsequent romance and outrageous humor abound!