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Once More with Feeling Series: An Debt of Honour by Diana Brown
 | A Debt of Honour Diana Brown Signet Regency 1982 Rating: B+ |
Here's another of my Library Thing books, this one is in only 7 other members' libraries . I wrote a review of this book for AAR back in 2003, but, again, this review seems to be failing in its mission. AAR reviews are no longer googlable since the new datebase was introduced, so I'm repeating some of my earlier praise and linking to the rest:
"Lord Peter Chalmsforth (whose title is never clear) is heir to a large estate, a noble name, and the responsibilities of family. When his mother asks him to check on a certain young woman whom Peter's brother, Gerald, has his eye on, Peter goes forth in duty to warn her off. When he reaches his destination, he finds that Gerald is staying with the Guthrie family at Culross Abbey. The Guthries are a good family, but fallen upon hard times due to a tendency to gamble. Mistaking Fiona Guthrie for the young woman of little reputation, Peter sticks his foot in it and propositions her, thinking that an avaricious woman will go where the money is. Immediately he is aware of his mistake and properly mortified.
Fiona Guthrie is a woman of beauty and principle. She is aware of her family's illustrious history, but also of its present realities. She rebuffs Chalmsforth's proposition, but doesn't take her anger out on him. Instead she treats him with deference and kindness. He is quite won over and finds her fascinating in all ways. Their relationship changes, however, when Fiona's brother finds himself financially strapped and in danger of debtor's prison. When Fiona fails to convince their relatives to come to their assistance, she turns in desperation to Chalmsforth and asks him to make good on his previous proposition - for £7,000 she will spend one night with him.
What is so terribly interesting about this plot is neither Chalmsforth's sexual proposition or Fiona's eventual acceptance (those looking for a lusty read should glance again at the sensuality rating: kisses only). It's how both Fiona and Chalmsforth react to that proposition before and after they know each other. Fiona is initially abashed. In her sheltered existence, it had never entered her mind that she could make a living off her body. And while Chalmsforth assumes her to have a lower status in society, he is comfortable offering her this bargain. But once he knows who she is, he is horrified that she could even consider being his mistress. She is devalued in his mind for even considering it.
They strike the bargain, but Chalmsforth never considers seducing Fiona. He pays her bills and bows out, secure in the knowledge of doing the noble thing. He is glad to help her and does not demand reciprocity. In fact, he introduces Fiona to his mother and enables her to come out in society. Unfortunately, Fiona cannot accept this arrangement. Her honor demands that she satisfy the bargain. It's not enough that Chalmsforth doesn't want sexual payment. She is in his debt, and this is abhorrent to her."
Click here for the rest of the review.
This book is out of print, but available cheap at amazon.com.