I really do love these Signet two-fers, so much cheaper then tracking down the editions and paying through the nose presumably.

Of the two novels presented here I enjoyed The Disdainful Marquis much moreso then The Abandoned Bride. The two have a tenuous connection in the form of a minor character called the 'Vicar'. An older fellow who spent his youth in wild abandonment of pleasure he is content now to sit back and manipulate others to amuse himself. In Marquis he watches Catherine's plight with an amused eye--offering the protection she wishes only because he finds it diverting to have the prettiest most sought after young woman on his arm. In Bride he offers his knowledge--that is gossip of extraordinary proportions--to many of the characters, though he seems to have tempered his selfish need to be entertained.

Marquis is a fun romp through impossible situations. Catherine finds herself in the position of acting a prim companion when her employer would prefer if she was a (discreet) lightskirt. It takes her a little while to understand this--she is as naive as a kitten, but she tries her best to soldier through. She even gains almost champions in the Duchess' other companions--both lightskirts in truth. I admit it was funny to read the Duchess' thoughts on the matter and then read Catherine's--its simply amazing how even the most innocent comment can have such deep double meanings!

Bride...I enjoyed much less. I think I would have been fine with the story if not for the one action of Nicholas' that set my teeth on edge. Actually I lie. While both stories were based upon characters assuming the absolute worst of both heroines, Marquis has the redeeming feature of at least one character understanding the heroine's plight and attempting to make it better. Bride had no such character. Worse no matter what the 'hero' thought he immediately backpedaled and angrily decided she was a lying, conniving harpy! His only basis for this was the written words from his absent nephew--no actual hard evidence. I also thought it awful of Robin to ruin Julia in such a way for his own selfish reasons. His excuse that he figured because she was a country bumpkin it wouldn't matter a wit to anyone was lame and arrogant. I can at least say that I admired Julia for NOT forgiving him even after hearing his reasons. ( )

Julia Hastings reputation is ruined by a nobleman and cousin to Lord Nicholas Daventry. Of course, Daventry's got the story backwards (he thinks she is playing his cousin for a fool) and kidnaps Hastings in an effort to "save" his cousin. ( )

http://gr4c5.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/abandoned-bride/ ( )