This Merry Bond

by Sara Seale

Nicky Bredon had been quite content to live a rather raffish, Bohemian, roving life with her gay and attractive father; but whether she knew it or not, she needed some form of security and stability, and she had always found it in the old country house to which they returned from time to time. But one year they found things had changed. A new-rich neighbor had been buying Bredon land, and as the reckless Bredon debts mounted, it looked as if he might soon become owner of the house as well. Nicky determined to let the encroaching Simon Shand know what she thought of him, but met with pride and scorn more than equal to her own. Yet out of their antagonism came a happy future for both of them.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Sara Seale was the pseudonym used by Mary Jane MacPherson (d. 11 March 1974) and/or A.D.L. MacPherson (d. 30 October 1978), a British writing team who published over 45 romance novels from 1932 to 1971. Seale was one of the first Mills & Boon's authors published in Germany and the Netherlands, and reached the pinnacle of her career in the 1940s and 1950s, when they earning over £3,000/year. Many of Seale's novels revisited a theme of an orphaned heroine who finds happiness, and also employed blind or disfigured (but still handsome) heroes as standard characters.

Mary Jane MacPherson began writing at an early age while still in her convent school. Besides being a writer, MacPherson was also a leading authority on Alsatian dogs, and was a judge at Crufts.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars! ~ There's something about Sara Seale's romances that enchant me. Is it the youthful spunky charm of her heroines? or the dashing yet steadfastness of her heroes? Perhaps it's the combination. Ms. Seale had a remarkable talent for bringing life to her characters, particularly her heroines. But unlike many romances from the 50's and 60's she also gave depth to her heroes, showing us quite a bit of what made them tick.

In this incredibly charming romance, Nicky is from bloodstock. She and her father have lead a vagabond lifestyle, moving from place to place at a whim. Her father's a bit of a gambler and over time his gambles and extravagant lifestyle have made it necessary to sell off bits of their family estate. Nicky was oblivious to how dire their finances had become, but when she's faced with the fact that her father may very well have to sell her beloved 500 year old home, she makes a bargain with her neighbour Simon. Simon's family have made their fortune in manufacturing shoes. It's to his father that Nicky's father has been selling off parcels of land. So when there is no one that he can go to borrow funds, it's up to Nicky to find a way. She goes to Simon, but the only thing she has to hold for collateral is herself. She strikes a bargain with Simon fully in the belief her father will find a way out of their financial troubles. When the deadline to pay back her loan comes, Nicky must face the consequences of her deal as her father has once again departed on an adventure. She's shocked when Simon suggests she marry him and admits that he's fallen in love with her.

From the very first pages, Ms. Seale had me hooked. Reading page after page, I needed to find out how this was all going to turn out. Nicky has a lot of growing up to do and Simon does his best to be patient. His plans to win over his bride are thrown into chaos when Nicky's beloved cousin many times removed arrives. There are turbulent times for poor Nicky as she comes to realize that she's always wanted Simon but fears it may be too late. Of course, in true Harlequin fashion, they have a very sweet HEA.

[Margo · Rating 1 out of 5]

The h remains unlikable throughout. She treats the H like dirt and is disloyal to him in her relationship with the OM. She is awful, her relationship with the H is miserable, and her circumstances are depressing.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting coming of age story.