The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor by Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe, Amanda McCabe

by shewolf0316 on July 7th, 2009, 11:46pm Login or Register to post comments

May 2009
Harlequin Enterprises/Harlequin Historical #943
Historical Romance Anthology
Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 4

Diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend, especially when said diamonds are specially made for her wedding day! In The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor, we have stories about three sisters who are as different as night and day, and the legacies bequeathed to them by their mother in the form of three one-of-a-kind diamond necklaces, to be worn on their wedding days.

Justine, eldest daughter of the Duke of Manning, is the rock that holds her family together and keeps her younger siblings in line, relatively speaking anyhow. However, her world is upended the day Gerald Brenner shows up at their door with the devastating news that the Duke and Duchess died on their wedding trip to Italy. Now trying to get affairs in order after the death, Brenner and Justine find they are unable to resist each other’s allure. But can there ever be marriage between Justine and the Noble Viscount?

Brenner is put in a very awkward position when he is expected to settle the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Manning, and break the news to their family of their deaths. Things are made even more uncomfortable for him when he meets Justine, his stepsister. She is the practical one in the family, which makes her the ideal candidate to help Brenner with his duties. These two are thrown together so much that is was a guarantee tender emotions would develop between them. They have their own struggles to overcome though, not the least of which that technically, they are related, if not by blood. This causes them to fight the relationship brewing as long as possible. I loved seeing them get past their differences and preconceived notions to find happiness and love together.

Ned Milford is the infamous caricaturist for the broadsheets who has found fame through his cartoons cutting down the beau monde, most especially the “Fitzmanning Miscellany.” Now he has developed a friendship with the new Duke and his brothers in the hopes of finding enough gossip to cement his position in the papers through one of the exclusive house parties of this scandalous family. However, upon arrival, he finds himself quite distracted by Annalise, one of the Fitzmanning sisters. Now Annalise and the Scandalous Rake find romance brewing.

All three stories in this collection were very good but I’d probably have to say this one was my favorite were I told to choose one. Annabelle is the artist of the family and has always felt a little bit outside of the circle of her family, never quite fitting in. When she meets Ned, she finds in him a kindred soul. Deceit gets in the way, but seeing how Annabelle and Ned overcome the obstacles to their happiness makes for a wonderful story.

Charlotte has been attracted to Lord Andrew “Drew” Bassington for a few years. Yet she fears she is following in the footsteps of her mother by putting her physical desires first in her life, as no proper young woman would do. Now, Drew is back for another visit and is not the same man she once knew. Drew has been worn down by responsibility to his late brother’s family and estate but the moment he sees Charlotte again, those tender emotions arise to the surface once more. But is it love or merely physical attraction between Charlotte and the Wicked Lord?

Charlotte is the youngest daughter and is feeling a little bit lost ever since her sisters married and moved away. She’s never forgotten Drew, having been fascinated with him in her younger years so when she hears he is coming to the latest house party, she longs to prove to him she’s no longer a little girl. I felt for Charlotte as she tried to find her place in the world without her sisters there anymore. While there was humor in all three stories, this one had the most. Every attempt Charlotte made to be ladylike got foiled in some way and there were some laugh out loud moments over the results. Drew needs light in his life though, having grown somber over his new responsibilities. These two are meant to be together, though they each have their own inner turmoil to overcome first. I enjoyed watching these two dance around their emotions as the story unfolded.

I am not usually a fan of Regency era historical romances but I was pleasantly surprised by all three stories in this anthology. Having not read any of these authors before I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was intrigued by the premise of the collection and had to try it. I adored the Fitzmanning Miscellany and their wild and crazy adventures. And who can forget those loveable pugs of Charlotte’s, Octavia and Oliver? They steal the show every time they make an appearance.

The best thing about The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor however, is the legacy of love the Duke and Duchess left for their “yours, mine, ours” family. They tossed propriety to the wind when they left their respective spouses for each other, setting the example that nothing matters more than true love, whether the ton agrees or not. I hope we get a chance to come back and visit Welbourne Manor again, with stories about the three brothers of the family, Nick, Stephen, and Leo.