Scandal's Daughter

Gemma Maitland has lived her life very much in the shadow of her mother’s disrepute. Fear of tarnish by association has forced her from her more naturally open character as a child and into the straighter-laced façade that she now wears as a young woman. Her refuge from facing society’s slights has been at Ware, the home and estate of her Grandfather, in which she has hidden away.

Sebastian Laidley, sixth Earl of Carleton is summoned by his godfather and pressed into the promise of finding Gemma a husband in three months time, or marrying her himself. Scovy as he is called by Gemma may not feel marriage minded but since the man who extracted the promise is dying and is his childhood friend’s grandfather he will honor the agreement one way or another.

Each has changed from their youthful friendship of old. And each has different goals in life that they pursue. But is what they profess to want really what they need?

Ms Wells has a delightful manner of writing entertaining dialogue and vivid scenes. It is a pleasure to follow the romance which builds between the kind hearted, passionate Gemma, and her reluctantly fascinated Scovy.

Sebastian’s reputation as a rake is set in the beginning. The man we become familiar with however has depth and is forced to face the results of his neglect to his duties. We follow his slow epiphany with great interest. Even more amusing is his reactions to attention by other men or potential suitors of the woman with whom he is responsible.

That said, there were some things that did not work well. A complete lack of any foreshadowing on pertinent information regarding Gemma’s treatment or the perpetrator makes the denouement ring false. Previous to this section of the book, there had been lovely build up and subtlety in unveiling of important facts. This is, therefore, a marked and unpleasant contrast to the earlier sections of the book.

It would be an error to dismiss this author. Ms Wells shows indications of a lovely talent and readers will look forward to seeing more of her work.

May 2008