A Curious Courting

by Elizabeth Neff Walker

Gareth Rushton wants to build a hunting box in Leicestershire. Selina Easterly-Cummings owns the perfect piece of land. But the vale is a reminder for Selina of the difficult time she's had nursing her young cousin back to health. When Rushton intrudes on the cousins' relationship, a merry romp ensues.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical, Historical Romance, Traditional Regency, Fiction, Historical Fiction

220 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1980

About the author

A pseudonym for Elizabeth Rotter.
AKA Laura Matthews, Elizabeth Walker

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle regency romance , set in the Quorn, site of the UK's oldest fox hunt, where the hero is determined to build a hunting box to take his mind off a romantic rejection. Mr. Gareth Ruston is stuffy and autocratic but is strongly drawn, against his better judgment, to the heroine, an emotional and eccentric young woman who has been disillusioned by love. Mr. Gareth Ruston does resemble Mr. Darcy in his propriety, but possesses more visible warmth and a sense of humor. The heroine, Selena Easterly-Cummins is full of contradictions; independent and competent, but full of self doubt, a tad hysterical at time, and suffers with a few phobias, such as a fear of cows! Their love affair proceeds gradually, with many missteps, laughter, and moments of emotional understanding.

Note: The dedication to this book is "For Laura and Matthew, with love". The author's pen name is Laura Matthews, adopted in honor of her children.

[Amy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one.
The pace was very slow; country living, drawing room conversations, walking and riding in the fields. A few mishaps and accidents were the sum total of the adventure in this story but it was just such a lovely story. The female main character is this wonderful mix of smart and strong and kind; she handles everything life throws at her and keeps a smile on her face while stubbornly doing her best. The male main character is a bit proud and his determination edged over into pushiness a few times but he also had a kind heart and a good sense of humor.
This would make a lovely BBC movie.
The ending was of course happy but it was almost an unexpected bit of joy in the midst of the story of real life struggles. I wish there were a sequel to this one as I was so sad to tap that last page on my tablet and just have to hope for their happy ever after.
mild accidental violence, no sex, mild language

[suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There weren't a lot of romantic scenes but the heroine was really fleshed out, which I liked. The hero too I guess, though I would have liked it if there were more background info about him. The cast of characters was awesome too. Overall, a very good book that exemplies what I like best about the genre.

[HistoricalHussy]

3.5
Ugh the abrupt endings of 80s-90s historical romances 😑

[S.K. Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read of Laura Matthews. I now wonder why it took me so long to find her books. She does have a different writing style. It is old school, and you would believe you have picked up a book from the late 18th or early 19th century. Her writing is masterful, and her use of the English language is superb. The language she uses puts her up there with Georgette Heyer.
This story was a bit different, but not so much that you weren't pulling for your hero and heroine. You understand fairly quickly Selina's issues, and Gareth Rushton handles them beautifully. However, it is irritating to him because, of course, he doesn't understand why Selina seems stubborn and a bit angry most of the time. This is a novella, so there aren't deep rabbit holes or several storylines going on. However, it is engaging. There are some humorous parts. This is a sweet romance with mostly kissing and a touch more, but it is only for you to understand Selina's bitterness. I will be binging on Miss Matthews for a while. I enjoy the length of her books and the quality of her writing.

[Judith Hale Everett · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting romance. Fairly sedate and entirely unpredictable, this story brings together two strong-willed people who more often than not annoy each other. While all the characters are likable and the situations entertaining, the bickering and baiting grates. The heroine’s character, described more than once as eccentric, simply seemed inconsistent to me, which impaired my ability to relate. And the hero, while generally swoony, is a bit more high handed than I can appreciate. But the romantic scenes were lovely and clean and I did feel satisfied at the end.

[Via · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the pacing of the story and especially the characters. They definitely know themselves and there were only a few instances of second guessing themselves. I love everything about it but I wished we had more romance between the two characters as they started on the wrong foot and was definitely enemies to lovers than anything all through out the book.

And it ended so abruptly! I wish we got to see them interact more in the new relationship they're in.

[Prac Agrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it but would have loved it to be a 3 star , the only reason being,
1)Wanted more interaction and talks between H and h. More feelings to be confessed.
2)The ending felt a bit abrupt, would have loved an epilogue.
3)Wanted the h to be in all her glory in london and the H basking in the same.

[L B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable re-read

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt incredibly slow until the very end where it was incredibly rushed…

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started off a little different but I liked how the main characters communicated. Much better than stupid misunderstandings.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong-minded Gareth and Selina, her lame cuz Henry 16, past suitors, minor mischances. Typos:
20.2 There IS .There 15.24 hail IS hall

[Simeonberesford · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two types of romance story dealing with the regency period The regency historical in which bodices can and do get ripped. and the Regency romance in which sex stops at the neckline and often before. this is definitely one of the latter though there is a scene where our heroine repulses a suitor who tries to turn it int the former.what to say stiff necked thoughtfully socialite man decides to stay away from town after a potential falls through and encounter a well to do independent woman who has never come out into society. Like so many romance books it is flawed I often found it hard to judge peoples moods from their behaviour. and there were various inconsistencies but so what a fun read with likable characters

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho letto con sentimenti contrastanti questo romanzo: lo trovavo via via sempre più divertente e ben scritto, ma, avendo già avuto una certa esperienza dei libri di questa autrice, procedevo per così dire con i piedi di piombo. Mi aspettavo che, da un momento all'altro, arrivasse la fregatura: un'anacronistica e volgare scena di sesso, una prepotenza di troppo del protagonista maschile, una finale volontà di sottomissione da parte di quello femminile...
Nulla di tutto questo è accaduto, e la storia (completa di un credibile adolescente e di un cane bizzarro) è stata condotta trionfalmente all'atteso lieto fine.
Congratulazioni, Laura Matthews!

[H2bourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story but I felt that it ended too abruptly. It would have been nice if the story continued to unfold in London and we could see the relationship of Selina and Rushton develop more fully. It would also have been nice to see Selina's interactions with her good friends while in Society away from their usual setting of Leicestershire. Overall, an entertaining read but nothing exceptional.

[Spazfungus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The two main characters are perfect for each other. The plot, the tension, and the dialogue for the whole cast was well written. Unfortunately, the book ended about two pages too early. When our hero and heroine finally finally overcome the barriers they erected and after all the mounting tension and emotion, it ends disappointingly anti-climactic. A "dutiful" kiss???

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Catie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as quirky as Lord Greywell's Dilemma but very nearly as enjoyable.

[Abra · Rating 4 out of 5]

first read 11/28/15; re-read late July 2016

[Lori Nemitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read between January & June 1983.

Original notes on book: Good book. Enchanting love story.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency