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Author Reviews
The Wagering Widow
Diane Gaston
Harlequin, Feb 2006, 304 pages
ISBN# 0373293887
Regency Historical Romance,England
$5.50 (US) $7.50 (CDN)
Reviewed by Dorie
December 2005
Mousy and subdued are a couple of ways to describe Miss Emily Duprey. By outward appearances she is all that is proper and seems like a catch for any prospective fortune hunter. The only problem is that she doesn't have a fortune. What she does have is an uncaring mother and a no good father, intent on gambling at any cost. Even lying about his daughter's said inheritance to keep creditors away.
Instead it brings Lord Guy Keating to her doorstep. Who hears of her fortune and thinks it is an easy way to get out of his money troubles. His father left his estates in a state of disrepair and left no money to maintain them. Handsome and seemingly kind, Emily is charmed by him and does not think for a second that Guy could have ulterior motives. But she soon discovers just why Guy wanted such a hasty elopement to Gretna Green.
I admit, I could commiserate with Guy. He was not some money hungry scoundrel who would treat Emily badly. He had to worry about and look after his family, his mother, and aunts Pip and Dorrie. Though, I found myself really feeling for Emily. Who had probably felt unwanted her whole life and finally found a man she thought wanted her only to find that he wanted her non-existent fortune.
Emily vows to leave Guy and live in a cottage alone, but she must come up with some money to do so. So, she devises a plan. She will disguise herself as "Lady Widow" and go to a gaming hell, where she will win the money by playing cards. She has felt neglected by Guy ever since he found out she had no money and she thinks that her marriage cannot be resolved. She doesn't know the reason for his absence is the same reason she goes out, it is because he needs money desperately. Can these two resolve all their secrets, secrets that could keep them from ever having the happiness that they deserve?
The Wagering Widow was a great read. Diane's characters were very well developed and complex. The secondary characters enriched the story as well, likable or not. Even the 'villain' of the story, Cyprian Sloane is not what he seems on the outside. He had another layer beneath that added to his appeal and I would like to read his story in, A Reputable Rake.
This story started out slowly, but it builds and it packs a wallop and is filled with emotion. It is a story that proves the resiliency of a woman and man in dire situations and it shows that while life is not always happy, or easy, that love is possible. Guy and Emily were perfectly suited for one another and when they were finally able to talk to each other openly, it was a sweet moment that brought tears to my eyes. For, if anyone deserved happiness it is Emily and Guy.
Diane Gaston is a very skilled storyteller and I cannot wait to find out what else she has up her sleeve.