Elyza
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Elyza
by Clare Darcy
Edition: hardcover, 1976
Synopsis: Elyza Leigh–young, impulsive, and pretty–borrows boy’s clothes and runs away from her chaperone in London, an unsuccessful Season, and an offer of a dreary marriage. At a country inn she fortunately encounters Cleve Redmayne–her purse has been stolen. He pays her bills and gives her a seat in his travelling coach. Handsome and rich, he has just returned from India and is determined to marry the beautiful Corinna Mayfield, though he only saw her once years ago. Cleve learns of Elyza’s problems and that she knows Corinna, so he arranges her return to London and from there to Brighton, where he plans to establish himself.
At Brighton, he acquires a mansion and is taken up by the Prince Regent. Elyza joins the glittering social world of Brighton, which is dominated by the fantastic Royal Pavilion parties, and introduces Cleve to Corinna. Elyza blossoms and acquires a circle of admirers. Cleve gives a magnificent ball, but a wicked Marquis, also pursuing Corinna, plots his downfall. There is a Great Curricle Race, at which Elyza commits an indiscretion. Blackmail follows.
After a duel, a kidnapping, and a hectic road race, people and proposals are happily disentangled. Particularly fascinating characters, especially charming Elyza and the unusual Cleve, all go to make a Regency romance of true distinction.
Elyza Leigh, determined to escape an engagement to a man she does like, dons boys clothes and leaves London. She encounters the handsome and wealthy Cleve Redmayne, who advises her to go back. They both go to Brighton where they make their mark on society and romance soon follows!
This is an absolute delight! Elyza, impetuous and sweet, is just the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about. She grows as a character, starting as a put-upon and cowed young lady who does something impetuous to escape and becomes a confident woman by the end.
Redmayne is entertaining as well, in his own way, with his quirks and the way he approaches discovering who he really loves. The supporting cast is also entertaining and earned smiles from me while I was reading.
The plot moved at a good pace. The writing style seems to be normal for when it was written, but I enjoyed it.
For an entertaining and light-hearted Regency Romance, Clare Darcy’s Elyza is an excellent choice.
