THE PERSISTENT SUITOR - Phylis Warady
Cerridwen Press
ISBN: 978-1-41991-103-3
February 2008
Regency Romance

Regency England

Archibald Brainridge is a gentleman farmer. He has greatly improved conditions at Brainridge Hall, bringing in a profit for the first time in a long while. However, that doesn't mean that he has much ready cash. When he receives a summons from his godfather, The Earl of Chandos, he must put off his visit until after the spring planting. When he does go to see the octogenarian, he is a bit apprehensive. He knows that his past as a gambler has disappointed the old gentleman.

But the earl has a proposition for his young godson. If Archibald can stay away from gambling, he will have an allowance and be able to stay in London for the Season. Secondly, if Archibald can convince a lady to marry him, the earl will make him his heir. The first is easy for Archibald to promise. He has wanted very much to put his past behind him and start anew. But since the earl has sworn him to secrecy regarding his newfound status as potential heir, Archibald will have a bit of a problem finding a bride.

Lady Isabella hates gambling. Her father died and left her penniless because of his inabilities to stay away from the tables. She has also known Archibald from the time they were toddlers. She knows him too well. Yet, Isabella is the only woman Archibald wants.

Isabella goes to live with her Aunt Hermione Ponsonby. Archibald's friend, Jonathan Lansbury, is in town. Jonathan's mother, Lady Amanda, is an old friend of Hermione's. His sister Fanny is with her. Malcom Grandison would very much like to marry Hermione, who is the widow of his best friend, Robert Ponsonby. Even the Prince Regent gets in on the act. Will Archibald win Isabella, or will he slip back into old habits and lose everything? Looks and circumstances can be deceiving, and trust is not always easy to regain.

Regency romps are so much fun. THE PERSISTENT SUITOR takes us along familiar paths, but with a style befitting one who is welcomed at Almack's. Phylis Warady gives the reader archly witty characters and sassy dialogue. I recommend THE PERSISTENT SUITOR.

Vi Janaway