Latest Plug

Part of my vacation agenda is to read as many books as possible. In the past four days I've read three - all wonderful. The latest of which is Julia Quinn's An Offer From A Gentleman.

It's a Cinderella-like story. Sophie is the bastard child of the Earl of Penbroke. Her mother had died in childbirth and her maternal grandmother had cared for her until she turned three, at which time she deposited young Sophie on the doorstep of her father.

Recognized as the Earl's "ward" (not daughter), Sophie was raised in luxury, if not love. However, when Sophie's father married, his new wife made it clear that she could not be treated in the same manner as her daughters (two - Rosamund and Posy).

The Earl died unexpectedly at a young age. His wife would receive 2000 a year, or 6000 if she provided for Sophie until she was twenty. He also provided for a dowry for all three girls.

The stepmother kept Sophie on so she could collect the money but not in the manner she had previously lived. She made Sophie work for her keep - without pay.

And then they received an invitation to a masquerade ball. Sophie dilligently prepared her step-mother and step-sisters for the ball, never dreaming of going herself. But once they were on their way, the staff prepared Sophie to attend the ball herself. She wore clothing that had been her grandmother's (on her father's side) and was taken in the family carriage. The one caveat, she had to meet the carriage at midnight, otherwise she could be caught.

So dressed in her grandmother's clothes, her face covered by a mask, she attends the ball. On entrance, she garners the attention of several men but it's Benedict Bridgerton that whisks her away. They both are smitten but she refuses to give him her name and he steals a kiss.

He comments that her hair feels like silk. She laughs and reminds him that he has on gloves. He has her remove his glove and feels her hair. She asks for the same liberty so he removes her glove, which bears the family crest and her grandmother's initials. He is about to remove her mask when the clock starts chiming midnight and she narrowly escapes, having left the glove behind.

He spends years trying to locate her and she dreams of him, knowing that societal proprieties will not allow for them to be together, so she tries to forget him. When they meet again, he does not recognize her (he never really saw her face). He's drawn to her but cannot allow himself to really give in to his care for her because he feels he's being unfaithful to his true love, the mystery lady from the ball.

It was a fun, light read. Predictable? Yes, but still fun. I highly recommend it. :)