
Virginia Henley Unmasked
Value For Money
Virginia Henley Unmasked
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User Reviews
Value For Money
Unmasked Signet, Sep 2005, $7.99, 416 P
Unmasked
Signet, Sep 2005, $7.99, 416 pp.
ISBN: 045121627X
In 1657 Captain Robert "Graysteel" Montgomery fights to put Charles on the throne, but General Monck and his troops trap Graysteel and his soldiers; the captain surrenders to keep his men alive. Monck offers to send Graysteel's men home in exchange for Graysteel providing him insight as to how the people feel about Cromwell. Able to remain loyal to Charles, Graysteel agrees.
Meanwhile his betrothed, Elizabeth "Velvet" Cavendish, is on the continent with her parents when her mother dies. Her dad remarries a woman her age so Velvet returns to England to live with the Dowager Countess Christian of Devonshire.
Graysteel learns the people detest the iron rule and that Cromwell is dying. Graysteel and Velvet meet for the first time in thirteen years only to argue. Graysteel courts Velvet and they make love. Velvet finds a Roundhead uniform in his closet so she accuses him of being a traitor. He is angry that she does not trust him. Charles tells her the truth, she apologizes and they marry. Velvet loves Graysteel but has trouble trusting any man. Graysteel loves Velvet but believes if she loved him she would trust him. It will take a miracle for these lovebirds to trust one another.
The key to this fine Restoration tale is the insightful look at the era and personage that is cleverly woven inside a fine romance starring two courageous supporters of Charles who love each other but also distrust one another. That trust issue is overly done as much of their conflict appears unnecessary if either took the time to talk with the other. Still no one is better than Virginia Henley at incorporating the period's details to enhance a fabulous seventeenth century romance.
Harriet Klausner
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