The Miser of Mayfair

another enjoyable addition to Marion Chesney's long list of funny, witty, and romantic "old school" style Regency romances. The quite different but very entertaining aspect of this book, and this series, is that half of the story is about the servants in the house that has been let. Miss Chesneys forte' of introducing complex and fun secondary characters shines in this book. Chesney's subtle wit is present in both the upper echelon and the staff. I look forward to reading future books of this series to learn more of the servants "Upstairs, Downstairs" misadventures. As to the romance in this story. Fiona was a great heroine-a foundling who learned quickly in life to hide her intelligence, because society frowns upon "bluestockings", and the good hearted albeit snobbish Earl an excellent change of pace. Another great novel by Chesney and highly recommended. 5 stars.

This is the first and best of the series. It introduces the eclectic group of servants of the unlucky house: the resourceful ring-leader of a butler, Rainbird, sympathetic and downtrodden Lizzy, and the effeminate, vain Joseph, and the rest.Fiona Sinclair, taken from an orphanage to be raised and educated as a lady for her benefactor's dubious purposes, is accustomed to using her wile and cunning to dodge the exploiters and schemers of her day. Usually, she gets the upper hand until she meets Lord Harrington. His aloof manner and haughty views leave him the only man in London society impervious to her extraordinary beauty, or so it seems. To that end, he is the only one who does not want to exploit her. To Fiona, for this reason, he is the only man who will do. For an orphan of questionable birth, albeit a beautiful one, to ensnare an autocratic Lord who is rich and handsome would require a miracle, one which the servants of the House on Clarges Street are all too ready to manufacture- a plan to make this arrogant Lord see the beauty of Fiona's heart. This novel plays out like a situated comedy much like Chesney's others with the same twists and turns, yet with the undertone of sweet melancholy unique only to this book. Fiona appears to be too wily and stoic at first to deserve such fortune until she ventures to risk everything by revealing her heart. Miser of Mayfair portrays the harshness of Regency society and the triumph of those who gamble and win, weaving not only a poignant love story, but more, a lasting impression.