Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
In London Veda Grenfell grew up anticipating that she would marry an aristocrat though she understood that her current station in life as a daughter of a tailor means a noble would be marrying a trade person’s offspring. Still she is pretty, charming and bold, which leads to Lady Hambledon advocating her, making her dream a possibility.
However, a series of tragedies strike that leave her distraught and her fantasy devastated. First her brother dies in an accident; then her mom dies during childbirth with the infant stillborn; typhoid fever leaves Veda deaf; finally her champion Lady Hambleton inexplicably dies. Knowing that no aristocrat will marry a handicapped person as their wife must be perfect, Veda works at her father’s shop where she displays talent. In spite of her loss of hearing, three men seem to want Veda. Heir to an earldom Lord Breadalbane admires her élan and how sexy she looks wearing men’s clothing though society demand he marry a wealthy equal; ambitious head cutter Balducci sees her as his means to inherit the shop , and tutor. Nicholls turns acerbic when any male seems to desire his Veda.
Though the early tragedies make this intelligent Victorian romance seem initially over dramatic, the story line turns into a delightful historical because of Veda, a fascinating character who provides an intriguing fresh look at 1860s English society. Her deafness adds to that insightful realistic look at London as individuals react differently towards her “imperfection”. Sub-genre fans will appreciate this strong character driven tale as the star and her retinue make for a fine reading experience once the series of misfortunes end.