Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn discussion
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Interesting advice from one heroine to another
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I would love to take tea with these ladies, their conversation is so unconventional!
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I LOVE this book, the series is wonderful. :)
I know it, but only because I looked it up. The back and forth about Hero and Heroine 1 and Hero and Heroine 2 confused me. I'm blaming it on the heat.
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I know. This is one of the one's that if you mentioned any of the character's names, your bound to know it.
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The next book is The Duke's Perfect Wife, the story Hero 2, Hart Mackenzie Duke of Kilmorgan and Heroine 2, Eleanor Ramsay. Both are by Jennifer Ashley, an author who grows on me more and more.
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Janga wrote: "Sorry I missed this. I love the entire series, although the first continues to be my favorite, and I eagerly look for Ian in all the other books."Me too!
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When Ithink of it as Hart's journey its really wonderful--I was frustrated because I was expecting Eleanor's journey since the first three books are really about the heroine's journeys.
(Also, much as I love Ian, since hes supposed to have Aspergers I don't think he would have had the theory of mind to realize that Hart would fail as prime minister and need Eleanor, or what receiving the photos would do to Eleanor.)
Interesting advice from one heroine to another.
(Heroine 1 is the heroine of this book, Heroine 2 is of the next in the series—the heroes are brothers.)
I like this scene for many reasons—one of course is that it sets the next book up beautifully without in any way being extraneous to this book. I also like Heroine 2’s insight into both her hero and the one under discussion. And I like the practical advice…
“What do I do, Heroine2? Hero1 goes on about diamonds and hotels in Monte Carlo as though I’ll clap my hands and rush with him to the train.”
Heroine2 gave her a sympathetic smile. “Because Hero1 is used to women who cross their eyes and fall over when he dangles diamond necklaces in front of them. They don’t want him, they want his money, and he knows it.”
He did know it. Hero1 was a generous man but not a stupid one. He knew exactly why the ladies flocked to him.
“I don’t care about his money” Heroine1 said.
“I understand that, but I wager Hero1 hasn’t the faintest idea how to woo a lady without bribing her. None of the (family name) do.”
Heroine2 spoke with conviction. Hero2 must have lavished gifts on Heroine2 until she couldn’t see, and still Heroine 2 had told him to go.
Heroine 1 let out her breath. “If I refuse Hero1, I know that I will regret it for the rest of my life. But if I go, I’ll ruin myself and disgrace my family.” Again, she did not say. “My brothers would never forgive men.”
“Well, you do not have to advertise that you are running off with him, you know. If you will forgive me for saying so, you are not the most socially prominent young lady in Britain. Go incognito.”
Heroine 1 laughed, thinking of her costume at Rowlindson’s party. “In a wig and mask?”
“Nothing so theatrical. Simply leave for a jaunt to the Continent on your own. Ladies do such things nowadays all the time. They take walking tours of far-off countries by themselves and write books about their adventures. You’re not an unmarried miss but a respectable widow. If you meet Hero1 on your travels, what of it?”
Heroine 1 started across the table at Heroine 2, and Heroine2 starred unflappably back at her.
“Heroine2, you are telling me to run away with a man to become his mistress.”
“I am telling you to be happy. Even if it lasts only a little while. We must snatch what we can when we have the chance. Life is so very lonely when we don’t. ”
****
Heroine2 lifted her teacup. “You’re not an ingénue, Heroine1. You know exactly what you are getting yourself into. You know about men and what they want. You know the (family name). You will be walking in with no illusions.”
Heroine 1 poked at the seedcake on her plate. She loved cake but at the moment had lost her appetite. “Tell me, Heroine2. If it were you—if Hero2 popped in and asked you to go away with him and be his lover--would you do it?”
Heroine2’s eyes flickered. “He never would.”
“But let us enter the realm of make-believe and suppose he did. Would you go with him?”
Heroine2 flashed a smile. “Let Hero2 drape ropes of jewels around my neck and beg to share my bed at night? I would be sorely tempted. But my circumstance is a bit different than yours.”
Heroine1 drew an impatient breath. “”But in a castle in the air, where all else is unimportant, would you do it?”
Heroine2 studied her teacup for a moment and when she looked up her eyes were quiet. “Of course I would,” she said. “I would in an instant.”