Here's what I wrote in April, 2011 after finishing this book:

3.5?? 4??? I'm stuck. Liked the story, liked the ending (another big AWWWW one) but I didn't really connect with either the H/h.

Like I'm finding with lots of books I inhaled read last year, it has definitely benefited from a re-read. Judith Ivory's writing is beautiful; her prose is so descriptive, her phrasing so witty and her grasp of the period - especially in terms of the vernacular - so precise, it's difficult to come away from one of her books without feeling as though you've been in a time machine.

I found myself laughing out loud from time to time at the interplay between the H/h, especially Stuart's advice as to where Emma could stuff his bank note (view spoiler)[up her very nervy bum LMAO! (hide spoiler)] after she writes to him demanding repayment for a lamb run over by his carriage.

And it just got better after that.

Stuart was earthy, a bit bawdy, and a complete charmer under a somewhat imposing exterior. I was completely enraptured this time around. I had a bit more trouble connecting with Emma, but in the end the decisions she made were in keeping with her character. And did I mention Stuart? ;D

Oh yeah - and this is the book with the "chair scene". Whew!