Town Tangle

Backflap: Miss Camilla Selwyn had to admit that the arrogant Viscount St. John had a great deal to be arrogant about. He was titled, handsome, wealthy, accomplished - but nothing could justify the way he looked down on all whom he considered his inferiors, which included almost all the human race. When the Viscount snubbed Camilla's brother while that impetuous young man was trying to make his mark in London - and when St. John went on to forbid Camilla's childhood friend, Charles MacNeil, to see the Viscount's sister Elizabeth- Camilla decided that this high-handed lord had to be cut down to size and brought down to earth. And the only way to do it was to have him fall in love...... This is a very good simple regency. Ms. Summerville is obviously a very adept writer and allows the storyline to progress naturally without any false starts or stops. The characters react normally to each other and are allowed from the very beginning to unfold with honesty and clarity. Camilla is practical and forthright while being humble and modest when necessary. The viscount starts out arrogantly, but the reasoning for this attitude is understandable and from their very first meeting, he begins to thaw and act more and more reasonably. Seeing as how this book was written in 1986, there is no sex, only light kissing at the end of the book, but if you like a good regency without many plot twists that allos a few good characters to carry the story, this book is for you.

Margaret Summerville has a wonderful way of describing her very real characters. Each character behaves appropriate for the times without appearing stilted or unbelievable. A "Town Tangle" is another example of her superb style. Viscount St. John and his friend Fitzwalter are stranded in a snowfall at the country home of Sir Jarvis. They are unimpressed with the rather miserly Sir Jarvis's hospitality but are intrigued by his lovely niece Camilla Selwyn and rather foppish nephew Dick. Throw in the large wolfhound Rufus and spinster Aunt Lucinda for a bit of comedic fun! They all meet later in London (except Sir Jarvis) where Dick is rapidly losing his fortune to unsavory "friends" and Camilla is sought out because of the special interest that Fitzwalter has paid her. But she has caught the rather snobbish St. John's interest and he vainly tries to fight the attraction. We also meet St. John's stepmother, the lovely and aristocratic dowager, Amanda St. John and his sweet half-sister, Elizabeth (Lizzy). Lizzy forms her own attachment in the book to the unacceptable (non-titled!!!) solicitor Charles MacNeil, childhood friend of Camilla. We also become acquainted with some of St. John's less distinguished relatives on his mother's "trade" side, the very respectable Chandlers. All in all, you will have a wonderful romp in London - attending balls and in gaming establishments. Note the slow but growing love between two couples. But St. John is rather hot-headed and he and stubborn Camilla are at odds many times over! Can they ever really be together especially since each attempted kiss is thwarted? And what of Dick who dressed so outlandishly and will soon be penniless! There are so many stories to follow and such a great ending to all the adventures, you will find this book hard to put down. Highly recommended!