Setting: Pomeroy Castle, Lancashire; Little Ha’penny, LancashireTheme: Stable boy and the princess; Characters:Miss Philippa Damson – a lady, determined, lost her mother when young, loved by her father… but when 9 year old Rodney declared he would marry her when she was 7, her fate seemed set – accepted by her father, the village people, Rodney’s father, and all. She spend many months growing up with her doctor uncle, helping him out. At 20, with her wedding set, she allows Rodney to bd her in the hay in the barn… he’s satisfied, she’s determined she will never lie with him again… she decides to run away, and when her maid tells her about the from another country prince’s baby in the castle (recently bought) that has been through doctors and nursemaids, she decides to offer her services.Mr. Jonas ‘Wick’ Berwick – majordomo; bastard son of the king, chose to butler for his brother, the prince for whom he has a great deal of love and respect. He is a bit jealous of the love and tenderness he sees of his brother and his wife.Prince Gabriel Albrecht-Frederick William von Aschenberg of Warl-Marburg Baalsfeld – improvished prince of another land, fell in love with a wealthy English woman.Kate / Jonas – Gabriel’s wife and son. The infant has colic, and nursemaids and doctors have some extreme cures – the baby is almost always crying and they are afraid he will die. Kate is breastfeeding himself.Rodney Durfey, future Baronet – selfish, adoring, plump, Summary:Philippa shows up when Gabriel is walking the crying babe… saying she is a nursemaid – she’s sees the baby, and takes command… insisting the cook boil water and a napkin so she can get liquids into the infant… and she assures them all it’s just a bad case of colic and they set up a schedule to walk the baby, and make sure Kate and Gabe get enough rest and food. They can all see she’s a lady, and treat her as such – accepting her telling that the family fell on hard times. Philippa gets night shift, and Wick joins her as she walks the infant, and they talk – he just needs another year at Edinburgh to be a doctor… she tells him of her childish dream for a knight in shining armor to come and swoop her off her feet and onto his horse… she tells him the truth of Rodney and everyone’s expectations, and their 10 minutes of sex… and after a few nights, they share kisses… but Wick steps back… she lets him know that she would marry him… and his brother calls him a fool for not marrying her… but when his honor would not allow her to consider marrying a servant, and she knows her time is at an end – the baby is no longer colicky, and she knows her father must be worried for her – so she offers herself to him – for one memorable night to hold onto… and he makes complete and passionate love to her… and in the morning, asks her to give him a week to try and work things out… but if he doesn’t come in a week, he would never see her again.Her father takes her home… he insists she marry Rodney – but when he sees Rodney, Rodney confesses to taking her virginity in the barn he is outraged… and although he insists she marry Rodney (and to forget the prince’s bastard brother), he does agree to give her a week. And 6 days later, father unexpectedly insists she take a book back to the rectory, excitedly pushing her out the door… and once in town, her knight (without the armor) rides to her, swoops her off her feet… and takes her off into the woods, where he tells her he has an estate (courtesy of his brother), and is enrolled to be a doctor… and 3 years later, baby growing in her, and he successful doctor, they are living happily ever after. In this story we revisit our Cinderella castle and characters of A Kiss at Midnight. We pick up the story when the first princeling of that pairing is just born and not doing well and is in need of a knowledgeable nursemaid. Here enters our heroine. A lady escaping a marriage to the local Baron's son who declared himself in love with her at age 9 and as a result no one ever dared offer him competition or her an alternative. Our heroine arrives at the castle and it is Jonas Berwick (brother to the prince) who is knocked over with attraction. The two get to know each other but are unable to overcome 'Wick's class objection. She is a lady he isn't a gentleman due to his birth.I liked this story because the two leads became friends and got to know each other. I didn't like the style of conflict because it seems so all or nothing and dependent on a third party (society) that you can't really put a case to or change it's mind. Or more realistically it calls for one or both of the parties to change in some manor.I did like the style of ending and he complicity of her father was a lovely touch.A nice short read.
What do You think about Die Erstürmung Der Burg (2000)?
Eloisa has brought me back to the historicals!!
—amberdogawsome
