Guest Review: Constant in Love by Elayne S. Venton

Stranded at an inn near Gretna Green, Miss Cassandra Briggs is without funds, without a chaperone, without her virtue. To add to her humiliation, her faux pas is discovered by the ruggedly handsome rogue, Mr. Philip Masterson. Philip has been Cassie’s friend for years. What he really wants is to tie her to his bed. The time has come to claim the woman. Now ruined, Cassandra is willing to settle for a courtesan’s life and Philip is willing to take her as his mistress. In each other’s arms, however, neither is ready to settle for anything less than love.

But love is inconstant and a woman will protect her heart at all costs!

This is one of the unusual Ellora’s Cave ebooks that is set in the early 19th century – not that historicals are not on their book menu, but it is not a genre that one thinks of when thinking about this erotica publisher. However this is a very interesting short story, and Ms Venton has done a fine job in telling a somewhat complicated story in a very short number of pages. Of course one must understand that to be “ruined” for a member of the aristocracy had some rather predictable outcomes: 1) the parties would marry immediately, usually under the authority of a “special license; 2) the man went his way almost unscathed as to his reputation and the woman was free to fall from grace, usually marrying someone well below her “station” or becoming a member of the demi-monde or the shadow world of a mistress; or 3) simply disappearing from society as an unmarried spinster, a burden on her family, or trying to get enough decent references to become a governess. In this case, the lady in question has not only been taken for the proverbial “ride” to the Scottish border but has been seduced into the bed of her fiancé – all with the understanding that they may be anticipating the marriage vows by a day or two but all would eventually be well. NOT!!! The supposed bridegroom is gone, and Cassandra is not only no longer in possession of a good reputation, her virginity, or her marriage hopes, but she has also been robbed of her money and her mother’s jewelry (her dowry) by her erstwhile lover. What a jerk!!

Along comes a “savior” of sorts, a long-time friend in the person of Mr. Philip Masterson. Unbeknownst to Cassie he has loved her for a very long time and because her bridegroom-to-be was also a braggart, knew that the supposed elopement was a farce. Philip and his lawyer companion had not only been chasing Cassie’s lover because of gambling debts, but Philip also was hoping to catch the couple before anything could happen to cause Cassie’s ruin. Now that such a hope has been squelched, Philip takes her into his arms and offers to be her lover-in-residence.

There are lots of factors in this short story that make it a fun and interesting read. Venton is a very good writer and her understanding of this historical period is very evident. The characters are starchy as was the case in the early 1800’s but that is true in almost all historical romances. There is a “fly in the ointment” even for Philip and Cassie, but the reader is not allowed in on the issues until well into the story. I would have liked this to be a full-length novel because I think the plot, the writing, the conflicts, and the characters are able to sustain a longer story and a more fully developed one. However, it was an enjoyable read and I felt it was worth the short time it took to read.

I give this story a 3.75 out of 5 rating.


You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place