Regency Buck (Regency Romances)

From Library Journal Judith Taverner and her brother, Peregrine, are orphans. The death of their eccentric father left them well provided for but consigned to the guardianship of a man they have never met, Julian St. John Audley, Lord Worth. When repeated requests for an introduction to him go unanswered, they set off to London to force a meeting. En route, they spend the night in the village of Grantham, where they make the acquaintance of their Uncle Bernard. Judith and Perry, knowing that their father had disowned his brother many years ago are reluctant to acknowledge the relationship, but Bernard proves to be polite and charming. They also run afoul of an arrogant aristocrat when Perry mishandles a borrowed gig on the road and causes a near-accident. On reaching London, Judith and Perry are amazed and horrified to discover that the insufferable nobleman who made their lives a misery in Grantham is none other than Lord Worth himself. The plot is sufficiently clever and complicated to keep the listener guessing, but the characters are not as appealing as those in some of Heyer's other Regencies. Worth never really becomes human; he is annoyingly arrogant and omniscient, keeping his feelings, as well as a couple of vital facts, hidden from the heroine and the listener alike. Judith, not allowed to overcome the conventions of her romance heroine role, never becomes a decisive character. June Barrie handles the various voices and accents well but unremarkably. A secondary purchase in libraries where Heyer's works (e.g., Cotillion) are popular and the budget allows. Barbara Rhodes, Northeast Texas Lib. Syst., Garland Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Review This is a perfect read for a cold and rainy day--a romance with a little mystery thrown in... I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait to read more of Heyer's works. (Patricia Seguine Library Queue 20081215) [A]s always, somehow Heyer's heroine manages to time and again smash those pre-conceived notions and blaze a unique trail of her own. This is, by far, my favorite part of her books. Judith's character is one of the best representations of this Heyer trait. (Rashmi A Book Blogger's Diary 20110512) I love Worth and Judith. I love the rich-layers of Regency Buck ... (Rebecca Laney Becky's Book Blog ) Regency Buck is certainly worth adding to your Heyer library. (Helen Hancox Curled Up With a Good Book ) I love it for its amazingly accurate historical detail and for its hero and heroine. I love Worth and Judith both. (_DearAuthor.com_ ) After their father's death, the brothers Judith and Peregrine Taverner travel to 1811 London to meet their guardian, the Earl of Worth, expecting an elderly gentleman, to their surprise and utter disgust, their guardian is not much older than they are. Lord Julian St. John Audley, they both agree, is an insufferably arrogant dandy. But unfortunately for the orphans, he is also the Fifth Earl of Worth, a friend of the Regent, and, quite by chance, their legal guardian. Lord Worth doesn't want the office of guardian any more than they want him, and is determined to thwart all their interests and return them to the country. But when Judith and Peregrine begin to move in the highest social circles, Lord Worth cannot help but entangle himself with his adventuresome wards. Beautiful Judith Taverner had captivated all London society. A bevy of elegant bachelors swarmed about her, vying for her favors. But then her brother suddenly vanished, she was forced to seek the aid of her mysterious guardian, the powerful Earl of Worth. Once Judith had looked upon the Earl as a protector -- and then as something far more. But now she was gown up, worldly-wise... and prey to a chilling suspicion. For Judith was not only a bewitching young lady, but also heiress to a great fortune -- a bewildered creature trying to discover the difference between a man's love and a man's greed. Heiress Judith Taverner fights her loathing, and her desire, for the iron-willed but handsome man who is her suitor. An altogether unsatisfactory arrangementAfter their father's death, Miss Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine travel to London to meet their guardian, Lord Worth, expecting an elderly gentleman. To their surprise and utter disgust, their guardian is not much older than they are, doesn't want the office of guardian any more than they want him, and is determined to thwart all their interests and return them to the country.With altogether too many complicationsBut when Miss Taverner and Peregrine begin to move in the highest social circles, Lord Worth cannot help but entangle himself with his adventuresome wards...Praise for Regency Buck:"Clever!"— Library Journal"Georgette Heyer is unbeatable."— Sunday Telegraph"Light and frothy, in the vein of the author's other Regency novels, this follows the fortunes of Miss Judith Taverner and her brother, Sir Peregrine. A good introduction to Heyer's period stories..." — The Booklist"Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen."— Publishers Weekly "A writer of great wit and style... I've read her books to ragged shreds"— Katie Fenton, Daily Telegraph "Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire too."—Katie Fforde After their father's death, Miss Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine travel to 1811 London to meet their guardian, expecting an elderly gentleman. To their surprise and utter disgust, Lord Worth is not much older than they are, doesn't want the office of guardian any more than they want him, and is determined to thwart all their interests and return them to the country. But when Judith and Peregrine begin to move in the highest social circles, Lord Worth cannot help but entangle himself with his adventuresome wards