Set in England in the mid 18th
century, just after Culloden when the Scots were brutally hunted down and
killed by the Duke of Cumberland (“the most hated man in England, a
bloodthirsty villain”), this is the story of Cameron (“Cam”) Gordon, a Scot who
did not support the cause because he believed it doomed to failure. But once
the battle was over, he gave the proceeds of his successful career as a writer
of fiction to his surviving relatives and to those Scots seeking vengeance on
Cumberland.
While Cam is watching one of
his cousins about to be hung at Tyburn, a street urchin—a young woman in rags—picks
his friend’s pocket and Cam is determined to see the miscreant brought to
justice. But his friend urges restraint, reminding Cam he needs a maid. And
that is how Miranda James became Cam’s bondservant—for seven years.
Miranda was born the daughter
of a nobleman but a dire set of circumstances left her an orphan and living on
the streets of St. Giles. Miranda speaks like the poor thief she is. But before
her educated mother died, she taught Miranda to read and write and love
Shakespeare. Cam, who has become a writer of thriller stories, treats Miranda
harshly, demanding she work hard and keep his house. He never questions why it
is she speaks like a guttersnipe but is intelligent and well read.
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Wilde paints a vivid picture
of 18th century London, the politics, the condition of the poor and
the life of the theater and the rich. Miranda will rise through it all and
thrive. You can see his research woven through every page in this well-told
story. I loved it. Of course, despite the face Cam and Miranda become lovers,
there is no mention of love or marriage by him and (because this sis a Wilde
story), no pregnancy when they become lovers.
A great adventure with
incredible depth and attention to detail. A very worthy classic. If you miss
the depth (and length) of the older romances, this one's for you. Highly recommended.
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