The Viscount's Lady

I read every Summerville novel I can find (I'm only missing four of them!) because her characters are heartwarming and charming. "The Viscount's Lady" is among her first and may even be the first Regency under this name. It was a portent of things to come since the hero and heroine, Boadicea Halkyard and Cedric Hardcastle, Viscount Stansbury, are well drawn out with very human failings as true of her other books. The secondary characters are well fleshed and have interesting stories to tell also. There is even a little yellow mutt named Horatio to amuse us during the tale. The storyline is typical Regency with a little twist now and then. Viscount Stansbury is a bane to his loving parents. Almost thirty, he is interested in scholastic pursuits and has little to do with society. Being the heir to a dukedom, they expect him to be dandy, sporting and a great horseman like his father. He is none of those things - in fact his brother, Peter, is the epitome of a society gentleman, yet the parents and brother are shown as loving, if not supportive of his historical interests. In the story, Viscount Stansbury seeks a noted historian (Mr. Halkyard) in the town of Picklesworth to examine an ancient statue. Mr. Halkyard has a lovely daughter (Boadicea) who is intelligent and scholarly also. Yet, she is fun loving and enjoys dancing and parties - (maybe a little TOO perfect!). Cedric falls head over heels in love and the attraction is mutual. Trying times are ahead though and an untimely remark about Mr. Halkyard's opinions turns them away from each after a bitter quarrel. Also, a villain in the form of Mr. Grimthorpe, a bully who desires Boadicea will cause trouble for the couple. The story resolves itself in London with the typical balls, drives in the park, misunderstandings, kidnapping, and kisses. Boadicea's cousin, aunt and uncle, Cedric's servant (Thomson) and brother are all wonderful additions to the conversations and flow of the tale. I didn't like that Cedric seemed to abandon his books to become better dressed - but I believe it was only temporary. I liked that Boadicea loved him while he was still a ramshackle "absent-minded professor." There is so much more to this book (and many other characters I don't mention) to enjoy. Worth finding a copy; wonderful reading.