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The Daring Debutantes #5
Annabelle
LURING HIS LORDSHIP...
It's a maiden's miracle! Annabelle Quennell, daughter of a poor country parson, gets a chance at a London Season to snare a well-to-do husband. But before she sets off, Mad Meg the Gypsy predicts woes ahead!
And it is nothing but woe that Annabelle finds. Godmother Lady Emmeline sponsors her spree--and demands she wed the oafish Capt. MacDonald. But worse, Annabelle fears she is losing her heart to Lord Varleigh--elegant, well-pursed , and ruled by another mistress!
It's a maiden's miracle! Annabelle Quennell, daughter of a poor country parson, gets a chance at a London Season to snare a well-to-do husband. But before she sets off, Mad Meg the Gypsy predicts woes ahead!
And it is nothing but woe that Annabelle finds. Godmother Lady Emmeline sponsors her spree--and demands she wed the oafish Capt. MacDonald. But worse, Annabelle fears she is losing her heart to Lord Varleigh--elegant, well-pursed , and ruled by another mistress!
Paperback
First published August 1, 1980
About the author
Ann Fairfax
5 books29 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Gibbons (née Chesney) was a Scottish writer of romance and mystery novels. Marion wrote her historical romances under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, as well as several pseudonyms ( Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward). Using the pseudonym M.C. Beaton she also wrote many popular mystery novels, most notably the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Both of these book series have been adapted for TV. Because of her great success with mystery novels her publishers both in the U.S. and abroad began using the M.C. Beaton pseudonym for all of her novels.
aka: Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Gibbons (née Chesney) was a Scottish writer of romance and mystery novels. Marion wrote her historical romances under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, as well as several pseudonyms ( Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward). Using the pseudonym M.C. Beaton she also wrote many popular mystery novels, most notably the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Both of these book series have been adapted for TV. Because of her great success with mystery novels her publishers both in the U.S. and abroad began using the M.C. Beaton pseudonym for all of her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 17, 2017
An early book by Marion Chesney, along with her early listless "good" heroines. Annabelle, very unlike her later, very spirited, very flirtatious, very forward heroine of the same name in the Six Sister series, is the oldest of four girls of a Yorkshire rector, raised to be the opposite of her worldly, bullying mother and sisters and the only one to relish her "original language classics" education -- although this was only referred to only once in a very inconsequential fashion.
Annabelle is the beauty of the family and dispatched to London by her mother to make a good match, against the wishes of the kindly, mild-mannered scholarly rector. When she gets there, she gets a shock upon meeting her godmother, Lady Emmeline, who is an old, shocking flirt with dampened skirts and a face caked with makeup. The old marchioness furthermore is enamored of a Captain MacDonald (whose father had been her one true love) and wishes for a match between the two and promises her fortune to Annabelle should she marry him.
All would be well with the impoverished Annabelle's Yorkshire family...except the Captain is a good-looking buck with extremely boisterous habits, usually when he is drunk. When he is drunk, which seemed to be the majority of the book, he indulged in roaring antics that had the entire crowd (except for Annabelle) cheering -- walking the ledge of the balconies during a theater performance, waltzing Annabelle straight into an indoor decorative pool and proceeding to wash himself in the water, juggling dishware and a knife during a dinner. He also, because he knows of the bequest, attempts to kidnap Annabelle and compromise her in an abandoned estate. And because this is Marion Chesney, who tries to cancel out all other males in competition with the hero in some form or fashion, he also plots to kill off the Marchioness.
It's not immediately obvious who the culprit was initially, and because the plot seemed bland and the primary characters uninteresting, I had completely forgotten I had read this before. The captain, at times seeming like a Peter Pan, ended up being a rogue of the highest order. When the marchioness decides to will everything to Annabelle because she saved her from a drowning and also simultaneously rejects him, the captain makes one last ditch effort -- and tips her into a frozen pond during a skating party.
He gets off scot-free because after Annabelle is rescued, she is fevered and sick and unable to communicate. The captain informs the colorless, hot-and-cold Lord Varleigh that she had led him on and is then dispatched off to fight the escaped Napoleon. Annabelle is disregarded by the miffed marchioness and returns home to an unwelcoming mother. Loose ends are tied up when the marchioness discovers that her lawyer's office was broken into by the captain and writes a shaken letter to Lord Varleigh before taking up with a handsome young footman. Lord Varleigh by and by sojourns up to Yorkshire where he is welcomed by an eager Annabelle.
Lord Varleigh was a very boring hero. Not only was he in the throes of his mistress for the majority of the book while also making sheep's eyes at Annabelle, he seemed just as lacking in personality as Annabelle. They get in a few good digs at each other but will probably settle down to being a very boring couple.
Annabelle is the beauty of the family and dispatched to London by her mother to make a good match, against the wishes of the kindly, mild-mannered scholarly rector. When she gets there, she gets a shock upon meeting her godmother, Lady Emmeline, who is an old, shocking flirt with dampened skirts and a face caked with makeup. The old marchioness furthermore is enamored of a Captain MacDonald (whose father had been her one true love) and wishes for a match between the two and promises her fortune to Annabelle should she marry him.
All would be well with the impoverished Annabelle's Yorkshire family...except the Captain is a good-looking buck with extremely boisterous habits, usually when he is drunk. When he is drunk, which seemed to be the majority of the book, he indulged in roaring antics that had the entire crowd (except for Annabelle) cheering -- walking the ledge of the balconies during a theater performance, waltzing Annabelle straight into an indoor decorative pool and proceeding to wash himself in the water, juggling dishware and a knife during a dinner. He also, because he knows of the bequest, attempts to kidnap Annabelle and compromise her in an abandoned estate. And because this is Marion Chesney, who tries to cancel out all other males in competition with the hero in some form or fashion, he also plots to kill off the Marchioness.
It's not immediately obvious who the culprit was initially, and because the plot seemed bland and the primary characters uninteresting, I had completely forgotten I had read this before. The captain, at times seeming like a Peter Pan, ended up being a rogue of the highest order. When the marchioness decides to will everything to Annabelle because she saved her from a drowning and also simultaneously rejects him, the captain makes one last ditch effort -- and tips her into a frozen pond during a skating party.
He gets off scot-free because after Annabelle is rescued, she is fevered and sick and unable to communicate. The captain informs the colorless, hot-and-cold Lord Varleigh that she had led him on and is then dispatched off to fight the escaped Napoleon. Annabelle is disregarded by the miffed marchioness and returns home to an unwelcoming mother. Loose ends are tied up when the marchioness discovers that her lawyer's office was broken into by the captain and writes a shaken letter to Lord Varleigh before taking up with a handsome young footman. Lord Varleigh by and by sojourns up to Yorkshire where he is welcomed by an eager Annabelle.
Lord Varleigh was a very boring hero. Not only was he in the throes of his mistress for the majority of the book while also making sheep's eyes at Annabelle, he seemed just as lacking in personality as Annabelle. They get in a few good digs at each other but will probably settle down to being a very boring couple.
December 18, 2024
Not the best by the author. Chesney delivered the stories that always had something, let's call it "Chesney-ish". But in this case, I found too annoying the fact the main couple believed other people more than themselves. And I think it could have been a better, more complex novel if Capt. MacDonald was as we saw it at the beginning.
Still, I can always rely on Chesney when I need something lighter (yet, not stupid).
[2-2.5 stars]
Still, I can always rely on Chesney when I need something lighter (yet, not stupid).
[2-2.5 stars]
December 30, 2021
This was, hands down, the most enjoyable Chesney romance that I've read to-date.
If one is interested in trying Chesney, I would start here, as it includes all the adorably quirky characters for which she's known, and leaves out all the little blemishes that sometimes plague her work (mildly abusive love interests, doornail heroines, etc).
There are four characters that absolutely make this story: Annabelle, Capt. MacDonald, Sylvester Varleigh, and Jane. The drama between these four was so incredibly entertaining I could never wait to pick the book up again.
I don't usually finish a Chesney romance absolutely loving the ending couple, but I'm obsessed with this one. I really do wish we could see them for another novel. All the characters, really.
This, to me, was a perfect Chesney.
If one is interested in trying Chesney, I would start here, as it includes all the adorably quirky characters for which she's known, and leaves out all the little blemishes that sometimes plague her work (mildly abusive love interests, doornail heroines, etc).
There are four characters that absolutely make this story: Annabelle, Capt. MacDonald, Sylvester Varleigh, and Jane. The drama between these four was so incredibly entertaining I could never wait to pick the book up again.
I don't usually finish a Chesney romance absolutely loving the ending couple, but I'm obsessed with this one. I really do wish we could see them for another novel. All the characters, really.
This, to me, was a perfect Chesney.
November 1, 2013
It's a fun romp. Don't take it seriously and go along for a light enjoyable read.
October 5, 2014
Regency romance - fairly typical story but instead of being funny and light, it plods along.
December 28, 2016
I read this as a standalone not knowing it was in a series. I enjoyed it though and am looking for others in this series
September 23, 2021
I got this book in audio from my local library. This is a good book to listen to if you want a good night sleep.
March 4, 2025
This was my least favorite of the bunch. All of the characters are pretty icky. It seemed like Beaton was going for a bit of a Pride and Prejudice flair, but Lord Varleigh is no Mr. Darcy. He's known for his many mistresses and just sort of treats them like disposable waste. Not cool.
Annabelle is a beauty but her family is poor. They send her to live with her godmother, the wealthy but detestable Emmeline. Emmeline is unhinged. She's obsessed with a drunken lout named MacDonald. She demands that Annabelle marry him or she won't leave Annabelle any money. Annabelle tries to hold her own but she's kind of a wuss. The term "doormat" comes to mind.
Crazy things are happening to Emmeline as well. She's had several near-death experiences but always manages to escape.
These books seem to just keep getting worse. I think I'm nearing the end of the series so we'll have to see how it goes.
Annabelle is a beauty but her family is poor. They send her to live with her godmother, the wealthy but detestable Emmeline. Emmeline is unhinged. She's obsessed with a drunken lout named MacDonald. She demands that Annabelle marry him or she won't leave Annabelle any money. Annabelle tries to hold her own but she's kind of a wuss. The term "doormat" comes to mind.
Crazy things are happening to Emmeline as well. She's had several near-death experiences but always manages to escape.
These books seem to just keep getting worse. I think I'm nearing the end of the series so we'll have to see how it goes.
February 9, 2021
I got this book in audio from my local library. This is a good book to listen to if you want a good night sleep.
April 9, 2022
I did not like the hero, Annabelle wasn't that interesting. Can barely remember the plot.
September 22, 2023
This is a tangled story of danger, deception, misunderstanding, and romance set, primarily, in Regency London. Marion Chesney, aka M.C. Beaton, stories are always well one and entertaining.
March 24, 2024
Okay. Not Marion’s best.
June 16, 2024
This was fun, with mystery thrown in
October 16, 2025
Sweet romance with a touch of danger and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the great ending.
January 26, 2026
It was more of a portrayal of the depraved immoral high society rather than a cute romance.
April 27, 2014
This is my second novel by M. C. Beaton and I found it to be entertaining, but lacking a bit of something.
Annabelle has been told by her mother that she must go and stay with her godmother Emmaline and make herself a good match. Everything rides on Annabelle finding a rich husband so she can make sure her younger sisters make good matches. Annabelle arrives in London to find that her godmother has already secured her a match, Captain Jimmy MacDonald.
Capt. MacDonald is horrid and the first time she meets him he is drunk but all the ladies just think he is great. Annabelle doesn't like him at all and really doesn't want to go through with the engagement, but her godmother won't giver her any money if she doesn't. Annabelle takes a liking to Lord Varleigh, but he is always seen with his mistress, Lady Jane.
While Annabelle tries to figure out what she is going to do, it seems someone is trying to kill Lady Emmaline. There are several attempts on her life before Annabelle puts two and two together.
Annabelle is a rector's daughter so she is really naive to the ways of the town and she is always surprised by how they act. She can't stand the oafish Capt. who is always doing stupid things in public and drunk but everyone else swoons over him. Although Annabelle is naive she has a lot of spirit and it helps her survive her time among the ton. Annabelle is a likable character.
Capt. MacDonald is a wretched characther and I am like Annabelle as I couldn't understand why anyone would like him. He had his moments but then he would do something stupid and remind you why you didn't like him.
Lord Varleigh, was to me jut a mediocre character. He was nice to Annabelle but they really never spent that much time together so I couldn't really understand how she comes to fall in love with him. He was always with his mistress, but was also nice to Annabelle.
Overall, it was an okay read and I am beginning to see that M. C. Beaton's books are not like those of today. Maybe because they were first written in the 80's they lack that bit of risque seen in romance books of today. If you prefer some steam in your romances it won't be found here but if you like them clean then from what I have read of this author so far you would like them. So I think it really might depend on how you like your romances.
The Narrator: Charlotte Anne Dore
This is my second book with this narrator and while I find her to be a decent narrator, I really can't stand her male voices. Those voices really just grade on my nerves and I think I would really just prefer it if she wouldn't try and give them different voices. Females doing really great male voices are hard to come by or at least in the ones that I have listened to so far. I really enjoy this narrators voice when reading the descriptive paragraphs and female voices.
Annabelle has been told by her mother that she must go and stay with her godmother Emmaline and make herself a good match. Everything rides on Annabelle finding a rich husband so she can make sure her younger sisters make good matches. Annabelle arrives in London to find that her godmother has already secured her a match, Captain Jimmy MacDonald.
Capt. MacDonald is horrid and the first time she meets him he is drunk but all the ladies just think he is great. Annabelle doesn't like him at all and really doesn't want to go through with the engagement, but her godmother won't giver her any money if she doesn't. Annabelle takes a liking to Lord Varleigh, but he is always seen with his mistress, Lady Jane.
While Annabelle tries to figure out what she is going to do, it seems someone is trying to kill Lady Emmaline. There are several attempts on her life before Annabelle puts two and two together.
Annabelle is a rector's daughter so she is really naive to the ways of the town and she is always surprised by how they act. She can't stand the oafish Capt. who is always doing stupid things in public and drunk but everyone else swoons over him. Although Annabelle is naive she has a lot of spirit and it helps her survive her time among the ton. Annabelle is a likable character.
Capt. MacDonald is a wretched characther and I am like Annabelle as I couldn't understand why anyone would like him. He had his moments but then he would do something stupid and remind you why you didn't like him.
Lord Varleigh, was to me jut a mediocre character. He was nice to Annabelle but they really never spent that much time together so I couldn't really understand how she comes to fall in love with him. He was always with his mistress, but was also nice to Annabelle.
Overall, it was an okay read and I am beginning to see that M. C. Beaton's books are not like those of today. Maybe because they were first written in the 80's they lack that bit of risque seen in romance books of today. If you prefer some steam in your romances it won't be found here but if you like them clean then from what I have read of this author so far you would like them. So I think it really might depend on how you like your romances.
The Narrator: Charlotte Anne Dore
This is my second book with this narrator and while I find her to be a decent narrator, I really can't stand her male voices. Those voices really just grade on my nerves and I think I would really just prefer it if she wouldn't try and give them different voices. Females doing really great male voices are hard to come by or at least in the ones that I have listened to so far. I really enjoy this narrators voice when reading the descriptive paragraphs and female voices.
February 3, 2020
It was a struggle to slog through to the end of this disappointing romance novel
This Regency novel is not an effective romance. The heroine and her romantic interest are only on stage together about 10% of the book. She's a passive protagonist who floats aimlessly through the book, and the hero is so disinterested in her for almost the whole of the book, it was impossible for me to cheer for these two wimps to get together for their tacked-on HEA during the last few pages of this novel. Worse, in the remaining 90% of the book, the plot that is substituted for what would normally be a compelling romance involves endless, irritatingly redundant melodrama generated by three different, bizarrely grotesque villains.
This Regency novel is not an effective romance. The heroine and her romantic interest are only on stage together about 10% of the book. She's a passive protagonist who floats aimlessly through the book, and the hero is so disinterested in her for almost the whole of the book, it was impossible for me to cheer for these two wimps to get together for their tacked-on HEA during the last few pages of this novel. Worse, in the remaining 90% of the book, the plot that is substituted for what would normally be a compelling romance involves endless, irritatingly redundant melodrama generated by three different, bizarrely grotesque villains.
June 30, 2014
I tried reading this months ago, but couldn't get into it, however, I restarted it, from the beginning, today, and have just finished it waiting for daughter to finish cricket practice (which had overrun).
it's a regency romance, but with a bit extra attempted murder, a glossed over murder (I'd have liked a bit more detail and to have spent a little more time getting to know the victim), some brief mentions of famous historical persons and the Napoleonic war (especially waterloo), but I did figure out whodunit before the denouement and it was an easy and enjoyable read.
it's a regency romance, but with a bit extra attempted murder, a glossed over murder (I'd have liked a bit more detail and to have spent a little more time getting to know the victim), some brief mentions of famous historical persons and the Napoleonic war (especially waterloo), but I did figure out whodunit before the denouement and it was an easy and enjoyable read.
March 5, 2015
Chesney has a great voice, and her heroine has interesting adventures, and her books have just the right amount of humor. They also have good period detail. At times the book slipped a little toward unbelievability, but the story and main characters carried it through.
While I labeled this book sweet, there is one tiny scene which isn't--but if you blink, you miss it. Since it doesn't quite feel believable, I just prefer to blink and pretend it didn't happen. So "sweet" it is.
I'm definitely planning on reading more Chesney.
While I labeled this book sweet, there is one tiny scene which isn't--but if you blink, you miss it. Since it doesn't quite feel believable, I just prefer to blink and pretend it didn't happen. So "sweet" it is.
I'm definitely planning on reading more Chesney.
December 21, 2016
I tried reading this months ago, but couldn't get into it, however, I restarted it, from the beginning, today, and have just finished it waiting for daughter to finish cricket practice (which had overrun).
it's a regency romance, but with a bit extra attempted murder, a glossed over murder (I'd have liked a bit more detail and to have spent a little more time getting to know the victim), some brief mentions of famous historical persons and the Napoleonic war (especially waterloo), but I did figure out whodunit before the denouement and it was an easy and enjoyable read.
it's a regency romance, but with a bit extra attempted murder, a glossed over murder (I'd have liked a bit more detail and to have spent a little more time getting to know the victim), some brief mentions of famous historical persons and the Napoleonic war (especially waterloo), but I did figure out whodunit before the denouement and it was an easy and enjoyable read.
November 1, 2021
Romantic Adventure in London
M.C. Boston's romances are just as fun to read as her mysteries. This one has the daughter of a poverty stricken vicar invited to do the season as a debutant in her grandmother's home in London. She learns that her godmother has picked a fiance for her who's a outlandish behaved drunk. Meanwhile she meets and immediately falls in love with a wealthy aristocrat who has a mistress he takes to social events. It's a fun book to read and I highly recommend it.
M.C. Boston's romances are just as fun to read as her mysteries. This one has the daughter of a poverty stricken vicar invited to do the season as a debutant in her grandmother's home in London. She learns that her godmother has picked a fiance for her who's a outlandish behaved drunk. Meanwhile she meets and immediately falls in love with a wealthy aristocrat who has a mistress he takes to social events. It's a fun book to read and I highly recommend it.
January 12, 2016
Marion Chesney è una scrittrice piena di attrattive per chi ama la letteratura vittoriana; ma non ha la stessa abilità della Heyer nell'intreccio, né la stessa scrittura piena di ironia. Prende, per così dire, la storia più sul serio, e così i suoi libri finiscono con il meritarsi la definizione di 'romanzi rosa'.
E poi ha un limite: brava nell'intrecciare le storie, casca spesso nella fase del 'dénouement'...
E poi ha un limite: brava nell'intrecciare le storie, casca spesso nella fase del 'dénouement'...
March 31, 2021
To be honest. This was rough. This book did not age well. Mostly because the miss is a dweeb--she's not particularly bookish, spineless, daring, shy, witty or charming. She's literally average at best. I don't want to read about average at best.
The 'daring plot' is mostly due to a pile of mismanaged assassination attempts, terribly executed. I was 100% not a fan. I'm pretty sure I read lots and lots of these in middle school, but as an almost 30 year old now...I can't say I'm into it.
The 'daring plot' is mostly due to a pile of mismanaged assassination attempts, terribly executed. I was 100% not a fan. I'm pretty sure I read lots and lots of these in middle school, but as an almost 30 year old now...I can't say I'm into it.
February 1, 2015
Funny stuff. Regency romance with the scandal of the ton social whirl (even the damp'd dressses). Entertaining enough for a weekend read. Better than I truthfully expected, combining a decent vein of historical fiction with the romantic naivete of a romance. Not my usual, but this woman has written SO many books, and I'm now going to check out one of her more contemporary mysteries.
December 18, 2017
Not her best! I kept waiting for someone who wasn't stupid to have some sense! Perhaps a early one? I enjoy her and find her like a pallet cleanse between other books. Just read.the Chocolate Debutante and found this lacked much in comparison.
Stupid people. Not half as good as the last one, or The other series. I usually rather enjoy her greatly!
Stupid people. Not half as good as the last one, or The other series. I usually rather enjoy her greatly!
November 13, 2013
Light enjoyable regency, Marion Chesney/M C Beaton can do no wrong for me. Usual wit and humour and this author really brings the regency era alive for me. Not one of her very best but well worth reading in my opinion.
November 30, 2018
I haven’t read one of these in a while but I love them. I love Beaton’s offbeat characters that range from sinister to silly. I enjoy the escapades and the near misses. For me, these are like watching a great episode of Scarecrow and Mrs. King.
February 8, 2014
An enjoyable and light regency romp.
October 26, 2014
Not all regency romances are completely clean.
July 6, 2016
It was ok
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews