The trilogy that began with Miss
Jacobson’s Journey (also reviewed on this site)
continues with this second entry, now switching its focus
to Felix, Viscount Roworth. No longer the arrogant Jew hater
who looks down his nose at everybody, he is a changed man
although still working for the Rothschilds as an agent. Located
in Brussels, he is staying in lodgings with Felix Ingram,
a captain in the artillery, and his sister Fanny. The pair
have always lived in military surroundings and are used to
making do, something which makes them endearing but not of
Felix social class. Trouble is, although he is supposed to
be proposing to the icy Goddess Lady Sophia.?
I was impressed with the first in the series, and continue
to be so with the second. Ms. Dunn’s novels are something
apart among Regencies as instead of the joys of the Season
or country life in manor houses they involve travel and in
this case, actual historical events. A reformed Felix makes
for a refreshingly enlightened protagonist, and Fanny is an
independent and cheerful heroine. Their romance blossoms amid
the events of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, including the famous
ball the night before the battle and then back to England.
We get to meet the Cohens and Rothschilds again too, although
this is very much the story of Felix and Fanny. There is a
lot more in here to enjoy than just a love story, as the author
is adept at showing us what it would have all been like, making
it something that readers of straight historical novels would
also enjoy. A superlative series and what I always hope for
when I pick up a Regency romance but do not usually get.
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