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The nabob's widow
The Marquis had never met a female worthy of his steel--until Dianthe arrived.
A shock awaited London’s most independent bachelor, the Marquis of Dartford, when he returned to find his London townhouse occupied by a most unlikely invader. His Lordship could hardly believe his ears when this chit of a girl, barely twenty, announced herself to be his uncle’s widow from far-off India, and then proceeded to plan a campaign to take the most sophisticated circles of society by storm.
At first the Marquis felt obliged to guard Dianthe from the dangers of seduction and scandal. But soon he saw it was himself he had to protect--before he fell prey to a huntress armed with every weapon of the gentle sex.
A shock awaited London’s most independent bachelor, the Marquis of Dartford, when he returned to find his London townhouse occupied by a most unlikely invader. His Lordship could hardly believe his ears when this chit of a girl, barely twenty, announced herself to be his uncle’s widow from far-off India, and then proceeded to plan a campaign to take the most sophisticated circles of society by storm.
At first the Marquis felt obliged to guard Dianthe from the dangers of seduction and scandal. But soon he saw it was himself he had to protect--before he fell prey to a huntress armed with every weapon of the gentle sex.
269 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
About the author
Elsie Lee
52 books29 followersElsie Lee (Elsie Lee Sheridan) (1912 - 1987)
Pseudonym/s: Elsie Cromwell, Jane Gordon, Lee Sheridan
Wiki: "I write fairy tales for grownups, principally women... I am better at characterizations than plots, and best with cats who are unanimously adored by my readers... I will not compromise on the quality of vocabulary and grammar in my books... it is a writer's responsibility to TEACH subtly through entertainment..."
Pseudonym/s: Elsie Cromwell, Jane Gordon, Lee Sheridan
Wiki: "I write fairy tales for grownups, principally women... I am better at characterizations than plots, and best with cats who are unanimously adored by my readers... I will not compromise on the quality of vocabulary and grammar in my books... it is a writer's responsibility to TEACH subtly through entertainment..."
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 27, 2018
Hugo Saville, 4th Marquis of Dartford, had it all: looks, friends, plenty of money and an heir. With a wonderful household staff, a trustworthy bailiff and an efficient secretary, there was little he needed to do except enjoy himself. Yet he was bored with his life. The quote from Tom Bodett, "They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”, couldn't be truer than in the case of the Dartford.
His answer came in the form of THE NABOB'S WIDOW: twenty-year-old Mrs. Dianthe Ffolkes, his late uncle's wife. With her soothing companion Miss Collins, her man-servant Lal Singh, two Siamese cats who-don't-know-that-they-aren't-people, a talking bird and a pet weasel, Hugo was overwhelmed.
'Di' was patient and never annoyed him; except she lived on his estate. Dartford felt threatened. His attempts to see her gone backfired. Now his clinging sister, aunt and mother adored her. His nephew, niece and brother-in-law praised her. His friends, those people he trusted most, were enamored with Dianthe and her close circle of helpers.
This would have been a very tame romance except for the animals. Ms. Lee was a cat-lover and never did it show more than in this story. With a flare of realism and a sprinkling of embellishment, Ping and Poona prevailed over their haunt. It included but was not limited to Dartford’s chair, his dining area, his bedroom and his bathtub. He had enough!
Dianthe's story was slow and complex; it revolved around actual historical figures from that era. She was bright, witty and very attractive with a strong nurturing personality. On the other hand, the stuffy and spoiled Hugo appeared to have never had a serious emotional relationship with a woman in his life. Over time, Dianthe started to haunt his thoughts. As outsiders, we see him begin to fall in love but, poor man, he doesn't seem to catch on as quickly.
There were a number of threads that had to be tied together but the droll dialogue provided for some entertaining moments. But without the animals? I am not sure I would have rated it as high.
His answer came in the form of THE NABOB'S WIDOW: twenty-year-old Mrs. Dianthe Ffolkes, his late uncle's wife. With her soothing companion Miss Collins, her man-servant Lal Singh, two Siamese cats who-don't-know-that-they-aren't-people, a talking bird and a pet weasel, Hugo was overwhelmed.
'Di' was patient and never annoyed him; except she lived on his estate. Dartford felt threatened. His attempts to see her gone backfired. Now his clinging sister, aunt and mother adored her. His nephew, niece and brother-in-law praised her. His friends, those people he trusted most, were enamored with Dianthe and her close circle of helpers.
This would have been a very tame romance except for the animals. Ms. Lee was a cat-lover and never did it show more than in this story. With a flare of realism and a sprinkling of embellishment, Ping and Poona prevailed over their haunt. It included but was not limited to Dartford’s chair, his dining area, his bedroom and his bathtub. He had enough!
Dianthe's story was slow and complex; it revolved around actual historical figures from that era. She was bright, witty and very attractive with a strong nurturing personality. On the other hand, the stuffy and spoiled Hugo appeared to have never had a serious emotional relationship with a woman in his life. Over time, Dianthe started to haunt his thoughts. As outsiders, we see him begin to fall in love but, poor man, he doesn't seem to catch on as quickly.
There were a number of threads that had to be tied together but the droll dialogue provided for some entertaining moments. But without the animals? I am not sure I would have rated it as high.
Did Not Finish
March 1, 2020That was a curious case.
It was definitely correctly written. I mean I have no complaints considering historical accuracy. The narration flowed smoothly. I really felt the Regency atmosphere. The descriptions allowed me to see the scenes like in a movie. Moreover, the characters were entertaining (some very funny). And the cats!
But...
It was so slow-paced that I fought with myself. I don't know why I can't make myself finish it. I really tried - I got to the middle. Perhaps if the romance had started to sparkle or some other action had appeared... I don't know. [By the way, I was also annoyed a bit by repeating 'hell and damnation' and 'damme', and etc., I have checked it (an advantage of e-books), it was told (mostly by the main hero) more than 110 times.]
I deeply regret that I am not able to finish it. The additional oddity is that it was so properly written that I am not going to skim the other part, just to get the gist of the rest. It would be unfair for the book. Sounds odd? I know, but it is how I feel.
So, don't let me stop you - try it by yourself. I hope you will enjoy it more and read the whole.
It was definitely correctly written. I mean I have no complaints considering historical accuracy. The narration flowed smoothly. I really felt the Regency atmosphere. The descriptions allowed me to see the scenes like in a movie. Moreover, the characters were entertaining (some very funny). And the cats!
But...
It was so slow-paced that I fought with myself. I don't know why I can't make myself finish it. I really tried - I got to the middle. Perhaps if the romance had started to sparkle or some other action had appeared... I don't know. [By the way, I was also annoyed a bit by repeating 'hell and damnation' and 'damme', and etc., I have checked it (an advantage of e-books), it was told (mostly by the main hero) more than 110 times.]
I deeply regret that I am not able to finish it. The additional oddity is that it was so properly written that I am not going to skim the other part, just to get the gist of the rest. It would be unfair for the book. Sounds odd? I know, but it is how I feel.
So, don't let me stop you - try it by yourself. I hope you will enjoy it more and read the whole.
August 11, 2016
This is one of the best regency novels ever written, on a par with Georgette Heyer's best.
Unusally written from the hero's point of view, from where his uncle's "little dab" of a young widow comes into his life with her lady's companion, hindu servants, talking bird, mongoose and two siamese cats (oh, those cats!), it abounds with wit and humor. The change in this lord's life, from ennui to awareness of his own desires, and the machinations of the Nabob's Widow with his family and friends, are a pure joy to read.
Unusally written from the hero's point of view, from where his uncle's "little dab" of a young widow comes into his life with her lady's companion, hindu servants, talking bird, mongoose and two siamese cats (oh, those cats!), it abounds with wit and humor. The change in this lord's life, from ennui to awareness of his own desires, and the machinations of the Nabob's Widow with his family and friends, are a pure joy to read.
June 15, 2021
2021 bk 148. Through the 1980's/1990's this was one of my comfort reads - I actually wore out the paperback edition and lucked into finding a hardback of the original. Not having read this for over 20 years, I picked it up and read it again to consider weeding from my collection. Not going to happen. Even 20 years later the clarity of descriptions, the wholeness of all of the characters (not 2 dimensional), the posthumous advice of Uncle Charles ring clear and engaging as if the novel were new. This is a keeper.
March 3, 2017
4.55 stars - r-lite (for odd reason)
Engaging, warm, amusing, sweet, gentle story; but not fast-paced or riveting. Loved the heroine (kind of similar to Sophy in Georgette Heyer's book). Hero and his friends are great fun. Loved the heroine's cats who took over the Hero's home! (Rated r-lite mainly due to two crude terms used to describe cat's reproductive parts in one chapter. Not sure why author felt need to do this; were these terms the acceptable norm in the 1800's? Would probably have been pg13 otherwise.)
Engaging, warm, amusing, sweet, gentle story; but not fast-paced or riveting. Loved the heroine (kind of similar to Sophy in Georgette Heyer's book). Hero and his friends are great fun. Loved the heroine's cats who took over the Hero's home! (Rated r-lite mainly due to two crude terms used to describe cat's reproductive parts in one chapter. Not sure why author felt need to do this; were these terms the acceptable norm in the 1800's? Would probably have been pg13 otherwise.)
February 19, 2012
I'm not much of a Regency or even a romance fan, but I have an inexplicable fondness for this book. A friend of the family was the book page editor for the local newspaper, and when I was in high school, she passed along a review copy of this novel. I have since read it dozens of times, each time with great pleasure. The characters are interesting and well-imagined, as is the setting, and the writing is deft and witty.
September 20, 2015
As close to Heyer as you can get.
Did Not Finish
February 6, 2021DNF
October 20, 2022
An excellent classic historical regency focusing on characters and their interactions. This book is a textbook study on showing instead of telling. We see the hero's evolution from irascible and selfish man of privilege to someone who cares about family, friends and staff in a new way based on his internal observations and dialog with other characters. The reader is not just told how competent and compassionate the heroine is, we see her many actions and behaviors that show us these characteristics.
While the heroine of the story is the catalyst for events, the story is actually told primarily from the hero's point of view, and I enjoyed the male perspective of Regency life in the both Town and Country. In this story it is made clear how integral the ties of family and friends were to an individual's social and financial future.
So I whole-heartedly recommend this story to anyone wanting a relaxing, low-angst and low-stress read that is true to the historical period and very "slice of life". No carriage chases, betrayals, frisky virgins looking for a lover - for that you need only look at most of the recently published regency historicals.
While the heroine of the story is the catalyst for events, the story is actually told primarily from the hero's point of view, and I enjoyed the male perspective of Regency life in the both Town and Country. In this story it is made clear how integral the ties of family and friends were to an individual's social and financial future.
So I whole-heartedly recommend this story to anyone wanting a relaxing, low-angst and low-stress read that is true to the historical period and very "slice of life". No carriage chases, betrayals, frisky virgins looking for a lover - for that you need only look at most of the recently published regency historicals.
February 26, 2017
This book slightly reminded me of The Grand Sophy by Heyer (but personally I think the nabob's widow is the better of the two), I found the writing a bit wordy and a bit hard going in places but I enjoyed the story enough to easily make up for it. It's an original and fun regency novel and manages to be unique amongst all the other regencies I've read.
November 14, 2010
Charming and old fashioned, with a host of likeable characters and the best use of cats in a romance book ever (so cute!). The writing was clever enough that you could watch the blossoming of the other romances in the book even though the narrator (Hugo) was nearly entirely unaware of what was going on. Also rather refreshing to have a book entirely from the male point of view, that's pretty unusual in a romance book.
Although Dianthe was a little too perfect to be believed, I still loved that she was sensible, smart, generous and gracious. I also enjoyed that Hugo didn't really have any major emotional issues to deal with, he was against marriage but mostly on a theoretical level.
Although Dianthe was a little too perfect to be believed, I still loved that she was sensible, smart, generous and gracious. I also enjoyed that Hugo didn't really have any major emotional issues to deal with, he was against marriage but mostly on a theoretical level.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2016
I have two copies of this, both old and fading with time and many, many reads. Every month I hope and pray that this, and others of Elsie's, will be out on kindle. This is a fabulous read, and Elsie is one of the best regency romance writers out there.
February 17, 2009
An old regency romance recommended by my mom
July 3, 2020
I recently re-read this and enjoyed it again. I prefer Georgette Heyer's regency romances, but it was fun to go back and visit this again.
July 20, 2012
a wonderful book that is a comfort read and reread...
September 14, 2019
a complete change of pace from the regency sex manuals back to Georgette Heyer's inimitable style when one did not fall into their lover's arm prior to marriage. the details were superb, the characters quite well done, and the stars of the show were the pair of Siamese cats who first seduced the unwilling hero. there as even a mongoose. the seduction of the hero from boredom to considering marriage as his friends all fell to women of the widow's salon. enjoyed the newmarket scenes immensely. the complete surrender of the household of Marquis of Dartford to Dianthe prior to his unexpected return was charming. his affection for his uncle, marrying to safeguard his ward, and the barriers he erected to this young woman with such composure and wisdom beyond her years was his bugbear. that he found his home entirely ordered without his lifting a finger or a thought was both disturbing and comfortable though he would not admit it. Yes after the galloping passion of most current regencies, this title from 1976 does represent a true regency novel. if you are looking for female porn, skip it. if you remember and appreciate the excellent writing of Heyer, grab it and enjoy.
April 11, 2026
Plot meanders along, it's all very comedy of manners.
I didn't love it, the mmc narrates the story to himself..
There's ridiculous cats who apparently have alarming degree of sentience and perspicuity.
One of the find i enjoyed was the abundant verbiage.
Being extremely well read is not often I come across words I don't know, but in this book there were 3-4 words i scraggly needed to look up.
After the first one I found it quite interesting.
It's not a story to get your heart pumping and your heels kicking, but it's mildly entertaining.
A few things I wondered at but then, the author had me doubting myself, given the mastery over the other deets of the times. They didn't restrict dance to x2 per event. Is that a fictional restriction? I thought I knew but now I don't.
I didn't love it, the mmc narrates the story to himself..
There's ridiculous cats who apparently have alarming degree of sentience and perspicuity.
One of the find i enjoyed was the abundant verbiage.
Being extremely well read is not often I come across words I don't know, but in this book there were 3-4 words i scraggly needed to look up.
After the first one I found it quite interesting.
It's not a story to get your heart pumping and your heels kicking, but it's mildly entertaining.
A few things I wondered at but then, the author had me doubting myself, given the mastery over the other deets of the times. They didn't restrict dance to x2 per event. Is that a fictional restriction? I thought I knew but now I don't.
October 16, 2019
I have read and reread this charming story many times. It is one of my “go-to” books when I am laid low. I that childhood game of the brightly colored gears of varied sizes spinning around. No gear is independent of the others. The gears here are the staffs of town and country homes, the “haut ton”, the cats and Di, Roxy, and their staff.
June 27, 2024
3.5 stars
July 28, 2024
It's not Heyer, but it's not bad. Definite shades of The Grand Sophy and Frederica. Descriptions, characters, and dialogue definitely not as sparkling as Heyer, though.
November 12, 2025
This is fine. A less urbane, less intelligent, less sexy Alverstoke falls in love with a less interesting Sophy.
March 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, what a good story! Set in England during the years 1807-1808. There were lots of interesting characters and situations and all of it told with wit and humor.
What to do with the Nabob's widow? That is the problem Hugo Saville, 4th Marquis of Dartford, is faced with when he returns home to London. Perhaps he can pass her off to the relatives, but not right away because there's a blizzard. Everyone assumes the widow is going to be difficult, not to mention her entourage. She is accompanied by her house staff, 2 siamese cats, a ferret, and a bird. Oh boy, does the Nabob's widow, Dianthe, turn the tables on London society. Dianthe is very smart and thinks ahead and uses everything to her advantage. And to everyone else's advantage as well. Lucky for her that white is the color of mourning in India.
I will definitely look for more from this author.
What to do with the Nabob's widow? That is the problem Hugo Saville, 4th Marquis of Dartford, is faced with when he returns home to London. Perhaps he can pass her off to the relatives, but not right away because there's a blizzard. Everyone assumes the widow is going to be difficult, not to mention her entourage. She is accompanied by her house staff, 2 siamese cats, a ferret, and a bird. Oh boy, does the Nabob's widow, Dianthe, turn the tables on London society. Dianthe is very smart and thinks ahead and uses everything to her advantage. And to everyone else's advantage as well. Lucky for her that white is the color of mourning in India.
I will definitely look for more from this author.
August 4, 2007
Yes, Elsie Lee is great, especially once she left Gothics for Regencies!
January 17, 2014
It is a really good novel but I prefer "The Second Season" .
February 4, 2014
One of my all time favorite regencies.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews