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Merry's Christmas
Finding himself the newly appointed guardian to the feisty Melville clan, bachelor Devlin Carlton, the Earl of Barrisford, has his hands full with his eldest charge, Meredith Melville--a spirited young woman who resists his charms--and he finds himself willing to do anything to win her heart. Reprint.
256 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 17, 2015
3.25 stars
What happens when a Bachelor with a capital B, a young man that loved to travel and managed to steer clear of any commitments, finds himself the guardian to a family of four? And the oldest is an eighteen year old young lady whom had taken care of the estate after the death of their father. But she is looking forward to some help, especially with her sister and brothers? It is 'Devlin Carlton Meets The Melville Family' or MERRY'S CHRISTMAS.
Carlton, the Earl of Barrisford, had managed until now to avoid any form of allegiance. He loved women but evaded ladies that required constancy, he journeyed when he had a whim and, with the exception of an elderly grandmother, didn't concern himself with family.
Okay, call him selfish.
Mona Gedney entertained me with this lighthearted fluff that involved the guardian/ward trope. The writing had an easy, flowing style with some sly wit and gentle humor. Barrisford found himself in a topsy-turvy world when he lived with the Melvilles.
Meredith, 'Merry', was polite most of the time but did not allow Devlin to ride roughshod over her. This frustrated him to no end; he was use to having his own way.
What surprised me was how I looked forward to reading Barrisford's valet's comments. Jeffries managed to put his master on the defense on more than one occasion. And I thought Barrisford deserved it.
"Of course I'll go! What other choice do I have? If I don't, the boy will be unhappy and so will his sister. I don't wish to stir up a tempest in a teapot."
"How very like you, sir," remarked Jeffries dryly, "always thinking of others."
Barrisford glared at him. "I'm not the totally insensitive beast you think me, Jeffries!" he snapped. "I do from time to time concern myself with the well-being of others."
There was a brief pause while the valet looked thoughtful. Finally, Barrisford could stand it no more.
"Well?" he demanded. "What are you doing, man?"
"I was attempting to recall those other times that you were speaking of, Lord Barrisford- the other times when you occupied yourself with the needs of others."
Barrisford threw back his head and laughed.
This is the fifth romance that I have read by this author and, what was so odd, was that Ms. Gedney used the title of Barrisford for the second time. No relation, not in a series...I really don't know why. She used the Earl of Barrisford in A CHRISTMAS BETROTHEL five years before she published this story.
It is not the deepest of romances and Ms. Gedney had Barrisford denying his feelings until almost the end. Though she listed Merry's age as eighteen, the author never gave you Barrisford's. I assumed it must be somewhere around 30 years old. I would recommend this romance only if you like guardians with wards and responsibilities.
What happens when a Bachelor with a capital B, a young man that loved to travel and managed to steer clear of any commitments, finds himself the guardian to a family of four? And the oldest is an eighteen year old young lady whom had taken care of the estate after the death of their father. But she is looking forward to some help, especially with her sister and brothers? It is 'Devlin Carlton Meets The Melville Family' or MERRY'S CHRISTMAS.
Carlton, the Earl of Barrisford, had managed until now to avoid any form of allegiance. He loved women but evaded ladies that required constancy, he journeyed when he had a whim and, with the exception of an elderly grandmother, didn't concern himself with family.
Okay, call him selfish.
Mona Gedney entertained me with this lighthearted fluff that involved the guardian/ward trope. The writing had an easy, flowing style with some sly wit and gentle humor. Barrisford found himself in a topsy-turvy world when he lived with the Melvilles.
Meredith, 'Merry', was polite most of the time but did not allow Devlin to ride roughshod over her. This frustrated him to no end; he was use to having his own way.
What surprised me was how I looked forward to reading Barrisford's valet's comments. Jeffries managed to put his master on the defense on more than one occasion. And I thought Barrisford deserved it.
"Of course I'll go! What other choice do I have? If I don't, the boy will be unhappy and so will his sister. I don't wish to stir up a tempest in a teapot."
"How very like you, sir," remarked Jeffries dryly, "always thinking of others."
Barrisford glared at him. "I'm not the totally insensitive beast you think me, Jeffries!" he snapped. "I do from time to time concern myself with the well-being of others."
There was a brief pause while the valet looked thoughtful. Finally, Barrisford could stand it no more.
"Well?" he demanded. "What are you doing, man?"
"I was attempting to recall those other times that you were speaking of, Lord Barrisford- the other times when you occupied yourself with the needs of others."
Barrisford threw back his head and laughed.
This is the fifth romance that I have read by this author and, what was so odd, was that Ms. Gedney used the title of Barrisford for the second time. No relation, not in a series...I really don't know why. She used the Earl of Barrisford in A CHRISTMAS BETROTHEL five years before she published this story.
It is not the deepest of romances and Ms. Gedney had Barrisford denying his feelings until almost the end. Though she listed Merry's age as eighteen, the author never gave you Barrisford's. I assumed it must be somewhere around 30 years old. I would recommend this romance only if you like guardians with wards and responsibilities.
July 6, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book again. The Earl of Barrisford, a rake who loves travelling, finds himself the guardian of four Melville children. He is hoping to get rid of his responsibilities but finds himself embroiled in all their problems. The eldest is Meredith an 18 year old girl who seems to be wise beyond her years and ends up providing the romance in the novel. It was a sweet story with a good plot. It reminded me a little of Frederica by Georgette Heyer.
December 12, 2012
Cute, predictable romance that is appropriate for holiday reading.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews