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Lord Darlington's Darling: A lady learns to mind her own heart.
Abby Fairchilde is painfully shy. She can't bear the thought of enduring another London Season. Dutifully, she agrees with her stronger-willed sister that she should wed the worthy Lord Fielding. But then, everything changes. Lord Darlington says he remembers her from last Season! His impulsive, beautiful sister, Lady Bethany, wants to be her best friend! Abby's placid life is completely turned around, not the least by the promptings of her heart. She isn't used to asserting herself or making decisions. An unwise choice puts her at the mercy of an unscrupulous fortunehunter. But Lord Darlington isn't about to lose the lovely young woman he loves and intends to make his own. A Sleeping Beauty fairytale Regency Romance.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Buck
55 books18 followersGayle Buck has freelanced for regional publications, worked for a radio station and as a secretary. Until recently, she was involved in public relations for a major Texas university. Besides her Regencies, she also writes fantasy and romantic suspense. She lives in Bandera, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 1, 2016
Clean easy read, but a few things bothered me:
1. No witty verbal duels, one of my favorite things about regency romances
2. Might be a printing error, but Lord Darlington was remarked to be "at twenty". But as the first of six children, and the youngest at only 17, the math doesn't work out quite right (none were remarked to be twins). Also regardless of how many bills Lord Darlington has had to wrestle through, in no way are his words and actions those of a 20-year-old.
3. Lord Darlington is said to be cold, mean, responsible, a cynic, etc, Okay! I get it! but just in case I'm addled with dementia, "a shimmering of danger...a coldness in his eye" reminds me, every other page!
4. Abby is suppose to be shy, but comes off as just lazy. Having an older sister to think for her, Abby has never had to do anything, make any decisions. So it was nice to see her grow and develop into a self-sufficient, thinking adult. But then the author denies her chance to shine! We miss all the details of her firm stand and are only feed a few hasty (bloody) crumbs of the result at the end of the book
5. Lord Fielding is a shadow, a basic outline of everyone's favorite self-indulgent regency fool. He is neither as annoying, pompous, not even as amusingly slimy as Mr. Collins. It is weird how many pages are devoted to just how pompous he is suppose to be (just as Lord Darlington is really really cold!)
6. I have no idea why Abby's mother, her aunt and especially her younger brother are brought in as characters. Nor Lord Darlington's mother and mentions of his other siblings. The pages used could have been better devoted to Abby's development and Melissa's sense of losing control as the sole influence of Abby's life. And maybe giving the hero some personality besides a really cold stare (like what draws him to the heroine and how is he considered a dandy?)
In the end, I couldn't work up an affection for any of the characters and felt a little disappointed I spent time finishing the book
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****Spoiler Summary****
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Darlington's youngest sister Bethany falls for fortune hunter, Farnham, in Bath. Darlington decides to give her a London season, hoping she'll forget Farnham. In London, Darlington re-acquaints with Abby, whom he met last season. No reason given, they fall in love (but don't act like it) Abby is finally thinking for herself, but is unable to firmly say no to her other suitors. Darlington gets mad. Bethany uses Abby to pass notes to Farnham, becomes compromised, blackmailed into eloping, Abby takes her place, shoots Farnham, Darlington arrives, suggests Farnham leave the country. Abby and Darlington get engaged.
1. No witty verbal duels, one of my favorite things about regency romances
2. Might be a printing error, but Lord Darlington was remarked to be "at twenty". But as the first of six children, and the youngest at only 17, the math doesn't work out quite right (none were remarked to be twins). Also regardless of how many bills Lord Darlington has had to wrestle through, in no way are his words and actions those of a 20-year-old.
3. Lord Darlington is said to be cold, mean, responsible, a cynic, etc, Okay! I get it! but just in case I'm addled with dementia, "a shimmering of danger...a coldness in his eye" reminds me, every other page!
4. Abby is suppose to be shy, but comes off as just lazy. Having an older sister to think for her, Abby has never had to do anything, make any decisions. So it was nice to see her grow and develop into a self-sufficient, thinking adult. But then the author denies her chance to shine! We miss all the details of her firm stand and are only feed a few hasty (bloody) crumbs of the result at the end of the book
5. Lord Fielding is a shadow, a basic outline of everyone's favorite self-indulgent regency fool. He is neither as annoying, pompous, not even as amusingly slimy as Mr. Collins. It is weird how many pages are devoted to just how pompous he is suppose to be (just as Lord Darlington is really really cold!)
6. I have no idea why Abby's mother, her aunt and especially her younger brother are brought in as characters. Nor Lord Darlington's mother and mentions of his other siblings. The pages used could have been better devoted to Abby's development and Melissa's sense of losing control as the sole influence of Abby's life. And maybe giving the hero some personality besides a really cold stare (like what draws him to the heroine and how is he considered a dandy?)
In the end, I couldn't work up an affection for any of the characters and felt a little disappointed I spent time finishing the book
*
*
*
****Spoiler Summary****
*
*
*
Darlington's youngest sister Bethany falls for fortune hunter, Farnham, in Bath. Darlington decides to give her a London season, hoping she'll forget Farnham. In London, Darlington re-acquaints with Abby, whom he met last season. No reason given, they fall in love (but don't act like it) Abby is finally thinking for herself, but is unable to firmly say no to her other suitors. Darlington gets mad. Bethany uses Abby to pass notes to Farnham, becomes compromised, blackmailed into eloping, Abby takes her place, shoots Farnham, Darlington arrives, suggests Farnham leave the country. Abby and Darlington get engaged.
December 11, 2019
I found this book to be dull for the most part. Abby has two men who are interested in marrying her, but there is no mystery that she will marry Lord Darlington since his name is on the cover.
Her other beau, Lord Fielding, is discarded for giving her the horrid advice to distance herself from her friend who has gotten into a scandalous predicament.
Meanwhile, no one cares that Lord Darlington has gotten in a jealous snit because Lord Fielding wouldn't listen to Abby's dismissal of his proposal (Abby's fault obviously.) Lord Darlington has gripped her shoulders to the point of pain, shaken her, threatened harm on others, and eventually had to be pulled off of another man he was trying to murder. Lord Darlington has some serious red flags of violence that are never addressed.
Her other beau, Lord Fielding, is discarded for giving her the horrid advice to distance herself from her friend who has gotten into a scandalous predicament.
Meanwhile, no one cares that Lord Darlington has gotten in a jealous snit because Lord Fielding wouldn't listen to Abby's dismissal of his proposal (Abby's fault obviously.) Lord Darlington has gripped her shoulders to the point of pain, shaken her, threatened harm on others, and eventually had to be pulled off of another man he was trying to murder. Lord Darlington has some serious red flags of violence that are never addressed.
July 1, 2011
Lord Sylvan Darlington has had to be Marquis at the age of 15. He had to pay off mortgages and debts his irresponsible father had caused. He had one sister married and one betrothed. His brothers were at Eton and now his mother is telling him that 17 year old Bethany has been spotted in a compromising situation with a fortune hunter. It is time to give her a London season and away from Mr Farnham.
Abby Fairchilde is on the shy side. Lord Fielding has been paying her court during the season her sister and brother in law have sponsored for her. She feels obligated to them and just kind of floats with the flow.
When meeting the Marquis again they remember each other and fall into easy company with one another. Abby becomes close with Bethany Darlington but then the girl has her begin to act as a go between her and Mr Farnham. Abby is quite uncomfortable with the situation, also with avoiding Lord Fielding who keeps trying to speak to her alone. Now that she is knowing Sylvan she is not ready to just accept Fielding.
Another good read from Gayle Buck. Romance, excitement and all clean.
Abby Fairchilde is on the shy side. Lord Fielding has been paying her court during the season her sister and brother in law have sponsored for her. She feels obligated to them and just kind of floats with the flow.
When meeting the Marquis again they remember each other and fall into easy company with one another. Abby becomes close with Bethany Darlington but then the girl has her begin to act as a go between her and Mr Farnham. Abby is quite uncomfortable with the situation, also with avoiding Lord Fielding who keeps trying to speak to her alone. Now that she is knowing Sylvan she is not ready to just accept Fielding.
Another good read from Gayle Buck. Romance, excitement and all clean.
January 1, 2025
I love this. Good old fashion romance.
September 24, 2008
This is an easy read (historical romance) that I was totally in the mood for.
August 27, 2011
This was a sweet easy read. First book I had read by this author.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews