Historical
Scandalizing the Ton
By Katie
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:58:46 AM

Adrian Pomroy, the new Viscount Cavanley is walking down the street when he hears a woman’s screams of distress. He comes to the rescue of Lady Lydia Wexin, who is being accosted by a newspaper reporter, who wants information about the recent death of her husband. Adrian aids Lady Wexin and helps her into her home after she has sprained her ankle from the unfortunate encounter. Adrian knows the rumors about Lydia, but because he is a gentleman, he pretends as if he knows nothing. Adrian wants to become Lydia’s friend and before they can stop themselves, they end up making love.

Lydia has been so unhappy and alone ever since she found out what a lie her marriage was to a truly unscrupulous man. Adrian brought back the warmth in her life, if only for one night. She will now have the memory of finding joy in his arms even as the newspaper reporters won’t let her be. The rumors about herself won’t go away, and they are bound to get worst when Lydia finds herself with child, and the father is Adrian.

Even though Lydia has pushed Adrian away, he can’t get her out of his mind and still wants a relationship with her. When he finds out she is pregnant, he will no longer be denied, and soon they are married for the sake of the child and Lydia’s reputation. Soon a simple friendship between the two becomes much more and both Adrian and Lydia hope to let go of the past and try to have a future together of love and happiness. But first they must outwit those newspaper reporters who continue to print lies about both of them, and because of that it may ruin any chance at a successful marriage and love between the two.

If you are in the mood for a regency romance with a bit of heat between the two main characters, SCANDALIZING THE TON is the perfect read. Lies and rumors run rampant in London due to the poor situation Lydia has found herself in because of her guilt by association because of her dead husband. You will find yourself grieving alongside Lydia as she tries to come with grips over the lies and the people such as friends and family who have turned their back on her. If not for Adrian, who is a most worthy hero, SCANDALIZING THE TON would have been a very depressing read.

I fell in love with Adrian the minute he saved Lydia. His caring nature and devotion to a woman who has the whole world against her is so very awe inspiring. He is a man with wonderful morals and because of a heat of the moment with Lydia, this leads to a very big responsibility on his part. He took it all in stride and did not back away and did what was right. Not only was Adrian and Lydia’s relationship a lovely one to read, but there is an excellent secondary romance between Lydia’s maid, Mary, and Samuel, a reporter for his brother’s newspaper that has become the biggest gossipmonger against Lydia.

Ms. Gaston’s regency world is one that should not be passed up on. She has a very distinctive voice with engaging characters, a passionate love story and a great plot which she does here again in SCANDALIZING THE TON.