Review: The Portrait by Hazel Statham

This is a wonderfully delightful sweet Regency.
The Portrait by Hazel Statham

• Publisher: Avalon Books (August 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803477872
• ISBN-13: 978-0803477872

Genre:  Historical Romance
My Rating:  4.75 of 5.0

Product Description
England 1812 Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision. Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another. .

Review:  This is the second lovely Regency Romance I have read from Hazel Statham.  The characters are wonderfully likeable and the sweet story is fitting to the setting.

Edward returns from war having suffered the trauma of battle and the devastating lose of an arm. Before he left to go into service he had been contracted to marry a young woman he admired but  barely knew.  He is certain that she deserves better and he doesn’t want to embarrass her or burden her with his broken and scarred body.

Lady Jennifer is a lovely and independent character.  She has determined that she will end her betrothal to a man who has taken no time to get to know her. Even his letters during his absence were cold and impersonal and told her nothing of his feelings.  When she goes to confront him she begins to soften towards him but is still offended by his making decisions without considering her feelings and input.

Edward tries to push Lady Jennifer away but he is reluctant to see her form a match with anyone else.  He is willing to be her friend though and help her stay away from her overbearing brother who is trying to marry her off to get her out of his house.  Although they committed to being only friends their relationship continues to grow warmer. Their two younger brothers manage to get into some trouble which draws them together even more often to work out the problems.

Lady Jennifer admires Edward and thinks perhaps she has a chance at engaging Edward’s affections. But she has become aware that he is enamored of a miniature portrait that he has carried all during the war. She thinks perhaps it is the picture of a mistress.  Or perhaps it is the beautiful widow who has come to town as Edward seems to always be right on hand helping her.

When Lady Jennifer’s reputation is endangered by another suitor Edward has to decide whether he and Lady Jennifer might be able to find happiness married to one another. And what will she think when he reveals the portrait?

The writing is smooth and the dialogue flows well making this a charming and delightful story.  If you like sweet Regency you will enjoy this book and this author.  If you didn't see it before, check out my review of another of Hazel's lovely books:  Dominic.