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Mistress of Willowvale
Prequel to The Golden Chronicles and The Jewled Men.
WE HAVE PARTS TO PLAY, YOU AND I-YOU MAY LOATHE MY EVERY FIBRE, BUT WE MUST APPEAR TO BE DEEPLY IN LOVE
Once, Leone believed that her marriage to the handsome Christopher, Lord Aynsworth, would be her every dream come true. But the shivers of anticipation with which she had once awaited her wedding night turned to dread at the mere thought of the man now addressing her as husband.
Everything was all so terribly wrong between them. Leonie had dreamed of no one but Kit and their life together, even when the war had taken him from her. Even when she had suffered such terrible disgrace . . . she had still dared to dream that one day they would be together.
And then they were married. In his eyes, too, her innocence had turned to shame. And his love for her was dead, replaced by a cold, hard pride she could not melt. So much had happened they could not change. Or forgive.
Until, in spite of themselves, they began to fall in love. All over again . . . .
WE HAVE PARTS TO PLAY, YOU AND I-YOU MAY LOATHE MY EVERY FIBRE, BUT WE MUST APPEAR TO BE DEEPLY IN LOVE
Once, Leone believed that her marriage to the handsome Christopher, Lord Aynsworth, would be her every dream come true. But the shivers of anticipation with which she had once awaited her wedding night turned to dread at the mere thought of the man now addressing her as husband.
Everything was all so terribly wrong between them. Leonie had dreamed of no one but Kit and their life together, even when the war had taken him from her. Even when she had suffered such terrible disgrace . . . she had still dared to dream that one day they would be together.
And then they were married. In his eyes, too, her innocence had turned to shame. And his love for her was dead, replaced by a cold, hard pride she could not melt. So much had happened they could not change. Or forgive.
Until, in spite of themselves, they began to fall in love. All over again . . . .
274 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Patricia Veryan
61 books104 followersPatricia Valeria Bannister was born in London. After World War II, she married Allan Louis Berg and moved to the United States; she lived on the West Coast and was the author of many historical novels from 1978 until 2002, using the pen names Patricia Veryan and Gwyneth Moore.
At the time of her death, she was living in Bellevue, Washington, USA.
At the time of her death, she was living in Bellevue, Washington, USA.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 2, 2011
One of my all time favorites. The hero has gone off to war and returns home to find that his fiance has had a child by another man. He remains in the betrothal for honor's sake while devestated and despising the heroine. But he cannot help falling in love with her again. Meanwhile danger lurks on all sides as they and all their friends deal with the fallout of the Jacobite rebellion in 1745.
This is very well written and your heart will break for both the hero and the heroine and the little boy. Some of the most endearing secondary characters I have ever read. Very good feel for the times and an intricate plot that plays out over several novels. Ms. Veryan is a master of the winding plot that passes from couple to couple over several books without any confusion or odd contrivance.
The romance between these two is beautiful and some of the scenes absolutely heartwrenching. No explicit love scenes here. If you like emotion in your love stories, this one is for you.
This is very well written and your heart will break for both the hero and the heroine and the little boy. Some of the most endearing secondary characters I have ever read. Very good feel for the times and an intricate plot that plays out over several novels. Ms. Veryan is a master of the winding plot that passes from couple to couple over several books without any confusion or odd contrivance.
The romance between these two is beautiful and some of the scenes absolutely heartwrenching. No explicit love scenes here. If you like emotion in your love stories, this one is for you.
April 19, 2018
While I am very much into this book I imagine that the heroes horrible temper could make him hard to like. The whole story is told from his point of view. And that nasty temper, which has earned him the nickname Lord Thunder and Lightning, leads him into some stupid and / or mean behavior. I guess to really enjoy this book you have to accept the world it takes place in, with a society that has cruel double standards concerning women and men.
In my eyes Kit redeems himself again and again, not only because he does regret what he did, and accepts the responsibility for his many mistakes, but also because behind all that he is an innately kind, deeply compassionate person who goes out of his way to be kind to his staff and to help those around him who need it - even in times when he himself is having a hard time.
The heroine’s backstory is very dark for Veryan, so trigger warning for that.
Also the big misunderstanding between the main couple is hard to read. They constantly hurt each other, which I definitely did not enjoy.
But the friendships and the characterizations are amazing, there are two duels - a serious and a funny one - and „the battle of Willowvale“ is straight out of a movie.
There is some behind the scene maneuvering by an older gent known from other books, Thad makes his first appearance, and the secondary romances are sweet.
As always Veryan does great with animals and children. Here we have a spunky five year old boy, a mean tempered horse (who fits his rider perfectly) and a cat whose strange idiosyncrasy leads to some unexpected trouble, but also saves the day.
Also as usual with Veryan, the hero is put through the wringer. Poor man!
In my eyes Kit redeems himself again and again, not only because he does regret what he did, and accepts the responsibility for his many mistakes, but also because behind all that he is an innately kind, deeply compassionate person who goes out of his way to be kind to his staff and to help those around him who need it - even in times when he himself is having a hard time.
The heroine’s backstory is very dark for Veryan, so trigger warning for that.
Also the big misunderstanding between the main couple is hard to read. They constantly hurt each other, which I definitely did not enjoy.
But the friendships and the characterizations are amazing, there are two duels - a serious and a funny one - and „the battle of Willowvale“ is straight out of a movie.
There is some behind the scene maneuvering by an older gent known from other books, Thad makes his first appearance, and the secondary romances are sweet.
As always Veryan does great with animals and children. Here we have a spunky five year old boy, a mean tempered horse (who fits his rider perfectly) and a cat whose strange idiosyncrasy leads to some unexpected trouble, but also saves the day.
Also as usual with Veryan, the hero is put through the wringer. Poor man!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2018
Nov 2015
My favorite of Veryan's many books held up very well in this recent re-read. This tale of star-crossed lovers is wildly melodramatic--full of misunderstandings, danger, despair, and slapstick comedy!
And I loved every minute of it.
My favorite of Veryan's many books held up very well in this recent re-read. This tale of star-crossed lovers is wildly melodramatic--full of misunderstandings, danger, despair, and slapstick comedy!
And I loved every minute of it.
July 26, 2019
Patricia Veryan was one of the kind. Her novels are full of adventure, action, romance and wit. So, like always, I was thrilled, I sighed, I laugh, I was gripped by plot twists. And what is also very important is that they are (in my humble opinion) deeply anchor in historical accuracy.
Of course, I felt it wasn't one of her best, but it was one of her first, so some excuses are understandable.
Perhaps it is hard to believe (because they sound rather different) but I agree both with Christa Schönmann Abbühl's and Rebekah's review.
I wouldn't recommend it as the first meeting with Patricia Veryan's books (despite the fact it is a prequel to more popular series). Nonetheless, to me, it was a precious reunition with her stories.
Of course, I felt it wasn't one of her best, but it was one of her first, so some excuses are understandable.
Perhaps it is hard to believe (because they sound rather different) but I agree both with Christa Schönmann Abbühl's and Rebekah's review.
I wouldn't recommend it as the first meeting with Patricia Veryan's books (despite the fact it is a prequel to more popular series). Nonetheless, to me, it was a precious reunition with her stories.
October 28, 2020
Veryan re-read: I'm starting here, although I'm not completely sure it precedes the Golden Chronicles. Prologue (where Kit was injured and Kevin dies) took place during the Battle of Prestonpans (21 September 1745). The Battle of Culloden is referenced (16 April 1746), with the implication that it happened while Kit was recovering and he sold out after. So I'm assuming the book takes place in the summer and autumn of 1746, even though there's no implication that Kit's family is in mourning.
Georgian novels. I've only read this once before. As a teenager, I wasn't a fan of the heroine's backstory (child out of wedlock, rape). Additionally I didn't (and still don't!) understand why, after it's revealed that her child isn't hers, but is her late sister's, her situation isn't questioned (i.e. the question immediately changes to "what happened to your child?" instead of the more obvious assumption "wait, so you didn't have a child?") I've always felt like something was skipped or cut there, and in my re-read I'm still surprised by this apparent gap, although Leonie's pregnancy is relevant to her escape from her abuser.
As a much older adult, I'm not a fan of the "incomplete dialog misunderstanding" plot device (Kit cutting off Leonie's explanation). And for much of the novel, Leonie's speech was a bit too Barbara Cartland for my taste. Because the entire story is almost entirely from Kit's perspective, it's critical to get a sense of Leonie from her actions. You get her reactions to immediate situations, but nothing deeper.
As always, though, Veryan does an excellent job of leavening dramatic action or conflict with characters recognizing and acknowledging farcical aspects of the scene.
Georgian novels. I've only read this once before. As a teenager, I wasn't a fan of the heroine's backstory (child out of wedlock, rape). Additionally I didn't (and still don't!) understand why, after it's revealed that her child isn't hers, but is her late sister's, her situation isn't questioned (i.e. the question immediately changes to "what happened to your child?" instead of the more obvious assumption "wait, so you didn't have a child?") I've always felt like something was skipped or cut there, and in my re-read I'm still surprised by this apparent gap, although Leonie's pregnancy is relevant to her escape from her abuser.
As a much older adult, I'm not a fan of the "incomplete dialog misunderstanding" plot device (Kit cutting off Leonie's explanation). And for much of the novel, Leonie's speech was a bit too Barbara Cartland for my taste. Because the entire story is almost entirely from Kit's perspective, it's critical to get a sense of Leonie from her actions. You get her reactions to immediate situations, but nothing deeper.
As always, though, Veryan does an excellent job of leavening dramatic action or conflict with characters recognizing and acknowledging farcical aspects of the scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2017
A good prequel to The Jeweled Men series. In the beginning I didn't see much of a connection because Owen Furlong was the only person in common with the series, and he didn't have a big part. I was a little confused how this book really tied into the series. By the end the connection was clear, and it's not just Owen, but something more. Very enjoyable.
April 4, 2018
memo to self: don't leave it so long between reading Veryan books again! She really is unmatched for combining real authentic feeling period detail with fast paced swashbuckling adventure, humour and romance. I have read this book before but so long ago that I had forgotten about Leaf the cat. And the pancake. And 'My Kinsman' ... Not good enough - must do better.
July 20, 2012
Patricia Veryan, especially in her early works, has the ability to craft both incredibly touching and romantic scenes with funny, utterly ridiculous scenes. This particular story has a deep fund of both, I highly recommend it!
March 30, 2013
This is an entertaining preview of a favorite series. Some harrowing moments, some misconceptions, pride, honor, and love abound. The suit of armor, Leaf, and the pancake are quite entertaining additions to the story. Hooray for interlibrary loans so we can revisit these old friends!
April 19, 2012
Patricia Veryan puts us in awe again!
March 8, 2017
Veryan knew how to write. Complex plots, lots of interesting characters, no superfluous sex. These are true historical novels, but with the guarantee of romance and a happy ending.
August 18, 2022
It seems like the copy i read was missing some pages which could explain why I couldn’t make much sense of it. And it was way too long. I found myself skipping whole chunks.
I can’t say it’s a romance. The reader lives in the head of the male character and from there h was like a ornament. Nice to look at but not much else. So I can’t say I got to know h and I don’t understand why H was in love with her.
Alexander was cute at the beginning but a spoiled brat in the end.
Quite the worst book I’ve read in a long time.
I can’t say it’s a romance. The reader lives in the head of the male character and from there h was like a ornament. Nice to look at but not much else. So I can’t say I got to know h and I don’t understand why H was in love with her.
Alexander was cute at the beginning but a spoiled brat in the end.
Quite the worst book I’ve read in a long time.
March 15, 2026
Really loving Patricia Veryan these days - she has such fun plots and great writing! I wish the romantic reveals had been written a bit more dramatically, and there were a few times in the last quarter of the book where I was ready for it to end, but overall a very great read.
June 18, 2017
Struggled just getting through it - sad, cos I absolutely love her League of the Jewelled Men series.
September 15, 2022
This book has it all. A great plot, well developed characters, humor, dialogue, and most importantly, a happy ending.
March 5, 2017
This one has more angst than a typical novel by this author. A giant misunderstanding between the two principals, leads to a lot of heartbreak and pain. The hero, Kit, is really mean to the heroine. Luckily this is resolved a good bit before the end of the book. As always, there are a lot of humorous scenes interspersed throughout the sadness and near-disasters and dangers. I read this book long ago, and couldn't remember exactly what Leonie was hiding from Kit, and I admit that when the full secret was revealed, I was surprised. I remembered part of it but there were so many questions in my mind that demanded answers, I actually had to skip ahead because I couldn't read fast enough, and found myself not able to concentrate the immediate aspects of the story. This second prequel to the Golden Chronicles is vital to a full appreciation of Veryan's art. It introduces a number of characters, it's influence even reaching to The Sanguinet saga which takes place 60 to 70 years later.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews