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The House at Bell Orchard
She was beautiful, young, and an heiress. Suddenly, she became an orphan - and the ruthless Colonel Fenshawe and his despicable family were offering her sanctuary. The Colonel cared nothing for Charmian, but he intended to force her into a marriage with his son, purely out of greed for her fortune.
Unbeknownst to them all, the dashing Sir Piers Wychwood, a neighbor, had caught a glimpse of Charmian and could not put her out of his mind.
Charmian did not know it then, but she'd already won the heart of her savior.
Unbeknownst to them all, the dashing Sir Piers Wychwood, a neighbor, had caught a glimpse of Charmian and could not put her out of his mind.
Charmian did not know it then, but she'd already won the heart of her savior.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 12, 1979
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Thorpe
38 books22 followersJune Sylvia Thimblethorpe was born in 1926 in London, England. Educated in London at a school in Brondesbury, Kilburn High School for Girls, Slade School of Fine Arts, and University College. She worked as secretary from 1949 to 1952 and later she worked as school teacher.
As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.
Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.
As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.
Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 20, 2010
Another excellent romance novel by Sylvia Thorpe. This story takes place in England during the Georgian period of the 1740's.
Charmian Tarrant's father has supposedly committed suicide, and left the motherless girl an orphan with no close relations. Colonel Fenshawe claims Charmian for his ward, with the furure hope of marrying the wealthy Miss Tarrant off to his son, Harry. But Harry isn't interested in Charmian, while his foppish younger brother, Miles, IS very much interested. And then there's the serious and steady neighbor, Piers Wychwood, who is intrigued in spite of himself.
Murder, scheming, smuggling, kidnapping and a lonely, spooky witch's cottage deep in the forest make this a very enjoyable read from one of my favorite historical writers.
Charmian Tarrant's father has supposedly committed suicide, and left the motherless girl an orphan with no close relations. Colonel Fenshawe claims Charmian for his ward, with the furure hope of marrying the wealthy Miss Tarrant off to his son, Harry. But Harry isn't interested in Charmian, while his foppish younger brother, Miles, IS very much interested. And then there's the serious and steady neighbor, Piers Wychwood, who is intrigued in spite of himself.
Murder, scheming, smuggling, kidnapping and a lonely, spooky witch's cottage deep in the forest make this a very enjoyable read from one of my favorite historical writers.
January 15, 2014
My first book by this author and certainly won't be my last. I like her writing, her characters and her settings. The history and romance also shine in this one.
Set in 1744
Charmian Tarrant, just short of 21 years old, finds herself orphaned. Her father has apparently killed himself and her mother died years ago. When the kindly Colonel Fenshawe and his wife, Lavinia, offer their home (Bell Orchard) in the country for Charmian's period of mourning, she jumps at the chance to leave Richmond and her father's house. It seems her father has died leaving quite a lot of debt. He was wealthy so where did his fortune go? Not to worry, Charmian is still very wealthy due to an inheritance from her uncle.
Why does Colonel Fenshawe want Charmian under his control? Not only is she wealthy and good looking, but he has two sons, Harry and Miles, and marriage to one of them would bring money into the family. Charmian likes the older son Harry but the feelings aren't returned. She doesn't care for Miles, the dandy. Will Colonel Fenshawe's marriage plans work? The action moves to Sussex where Bell Orchard is located. There is a neighboring manor called Wychwood Chase, home to Piers Wychwood, his mother and sister, Dorothy. As the story unfolds some of the action involves smuggling, kidnapping, a man with red hair, a witch's house in the woods, and last but not least, Jacobites. This is 1744 and Charles Edward Stuart, is in France still wanting to reclaim the throne in England.
That's all I'm going to say. This was a very enjoyable book, thank you, Hannah!
Set in 1744
Charmian Tarrant, just short of 21 years old, finds herself orphaned. Her father has apparently killed himself and her mother died years ago. When the kindly Colonel Fenshawe and his wife, Lavinia, offer their home (Bell Orchard) in the country for Charmian's period of mourning, she jumps at the chance to leave Richmond and her father's house. It seems her father has died leaving quite a lot of debt. He was wealthy so where did his fortune go? Not to worry, Charmian is still very wealthy due to an inheritance from her uncle.
Why does Colonel Fenshawe want Charmian under his control? Not only is she wealthy and good looking, but he has two sons, Harry and Miles, and marriage to one of them would bring money into the family. Charmian likes the older son Harry but the feelings aren't returned. She doesn't care for Miles, the dandy. Will Colonel Fenshawe's marriage plans work? The action moves to Sussex where Bell Orchard is located. There is a neighboring manor called Wychwood Chase, home to Piers Wychwood, his mother and sister, Dorothy. As the story unfolds some of the action involves smuggling, kidnapping, a man with red hair, a witch's house in the woods, and last but not least, Jacobites. This is 1744 and Charles Edward Stuart, is in France still wanting to reclaim the throne in England.
That's all I'm going to say. This was a very enjoyable book, thank you, Hannah!
February 14, 2022
Enjoyable read. Interestingly drawn characters with widely different personalities, and a plot that has enough twists to be genuinely absorbing. Some scenes cut into each other rather abruptly, and some subplots could have been played for higher suspense.
The oddest factor in this story is that the heroine, Charmian, somehow manages to be central to the entire novel and all the other characters’ choices, while also being one of the least investigated characters. I would not call her an undeveloped or blank slate character, but say rather that her personality is hinted at in various scenes more than actively explored. Unusual for a romance.
All in all, a nice little damsel in distress adventure. Kudos to the author for creating a sinister villain without ever relying on physical intimidation (minus the general threat of murder), one who wouldn’t be defeated by a superhero through his own monologuing.
The oddest factor in this story is that the heroine, Charmian, somehow manages to be central to the entire novel and all the other characters’ choices, while also being one of the least investigated characters. I would not call her an undeveloped or blank slate character, but say rather that her personality is hinted at in various scenes more than actively explored. Unusual for a romance.
All in all, a nice little damsel in distress adventure. Kudos to the author for creating a sinister villain without ever relying on physical intimidation (minus the general threat of murder), one who wouldn’t be defeated by a superhero through his own monologuing.
June 29, 2021
Charmian Tarrant, left all alone in the world after the death of her father, goes to live with a family of her acquaintance. But the Fanshawes have sinister plans for her, and the only person who able to help her is their neighbor, Piers Wychwood.
Like the other Coventry romances I've read, this one is quite plotty, with schemes to steal fortunes and Jacobite connections. The author included strong Gothic elements in the story, with some delightfully morally grey characters, and the villain is formidable. The romance was a trifle neglected amid all the B plot, but I still enjoyed the interactions between the leads. I'd read more by this author.
Like the other Coventry romances I've read, this one is quite plotty, with schemes to steal fortunes and Jacobite connections. The author included strong Gothic elements in the story, with some delightfully morally grey characters, and the villain is formidable. The romance was a trifle neglected amid all the B plot, but I still enjoyed the interactions between the leads. I'd read more by this author.
July 13, 2022
Reread Sylvia Thorpe #12. I thoroughly enjoyed this story set in 1744. Sylvia really knows how to tell a tale, imbuing it with authenticity and drama. With the backdrop of the upcoming Jacobite rebellion this story of the young Charmian Tarrant drawn into a web of smuggling, danger, intrigue, murder and treason kept me glued to the page.
December 3, 2023
Interesting plot and very well written. The beginning was a bit too melancholic for me and I had to force myself to continue. But then it became really interesting and I couldn't put it down. It'd have been one of my all time favourites if the heroine wasn't so passive and helpless in the last part of the book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews