If you're looking for a trilogy of
Victorian romances, I can recommend Mary Jo Putney's Silk Trilogy. Two of them
are set in exotic locales, too.
Silk and Shadows:
The first in the trilogy, Silk and Shadows, while not set in an exotic locale, is an important
foundation for the other two stories. Set in England at outset of the Victorian
era in 1839, this is the story of Lady Sara St. James, the daughter of the Duke
of Haddonfield, and Mikahl Khanauri, an exotic chieftain from the East who has
come to London for revenge on Sir Charles Weldon, who coincidentally, is
betrothed to Sara.
Mikahl is introduced to London society as Prince Peregrine
of Kafiristan by his good friend Ross, Lord Carlisle, Sara’s cousin, and the
hero in book 2.
From the very beginning, practical Sara is drawn to Mikahl,
as are all the ladies of London. He is mysterious, masculine and very wealthy.
She does not love her betrothed, Charles, but thinks he will make a decent
husband for a plain girl with a limp (the result of a terrible riding accident
she had as a child). Charles, who has a dark side, wants her for her noble
lineage and for her dowry. Mikahl thinks she is beautiful and courageous of
heart.
As a part of his revenge on Charles, Mikahl seduces Sara so
that she is “ruined” in the eyes of her father and her betrothed. Then he
offers to marry her, never realizing his heart is involved.
Putney brings us a wonderful set of complex characters and
at times their banter had me laughing. And who could not love the mysterious
Mikahl who sees beyond the surface to what lies beneath? He recognizes Sara’s
pain because he has experienced so much himself. The plot will keep you
guessing, knowing both the hero and villain hide secrets as they prepare to
unleash their weapons on each other. A worthy tale of redemption, revenge and
letting go of the past to embrace the future.
Silk and Secrets:
With book 2, we are off to Central Asia where Sara’s cousin,
Lord Ross Carlisle, younger son of the Duke of Windemere, and friend to Mikahl
Khanauri (now Connery), seeks adventure.
Though it is set in 1841 in Bokhara, Uzbekistan, it begins
in Constantinople where Ross learns that his brother has died and he is now the
Marquess of Kilburn, his father’s heir. It is there we discover that Ross has
been married for the last twelve years to Juliet Cameron, daughter of a
Scottish diplomat. They married young and Juliet left him six months later
feeling that she could not handle London Society.
When Juliet’s mother asks Ross to go to Bokhara to find her
son, Ian, he agrees, never knowing he will soon find his estranged wife, an
adventurer who has won the respect of the Persians where she rules a small
kingdom. Ross, a splendid hero everyone seems to love, admires her as she
admires him. They seemed perfect for each other and Juliet’s leaving him so
long ago is a bit mystifying.
Putney has done much research for this
story and she brings the culture of Central Asia to life. The story is rich in
historical detail—the sights, sounds, dress and food are vividly portrayed. The
scene of the Uzbek equivalent of polo, played with the body of a dead goat, was
absolutely thrilling. Lots of action here as we dive into the mystery
surrounding Juliet’s missing brother and Ross and Juliet together fight off the
bad guys who are trying to kill them. Along the way, their love is rekindled. Truly an exciting Victorian adventure.
Veils of Silk:
Now we are off to India! The story begins in 1841 as Ian
Cameron, the Scottish soldier rescued from the pit of hell in book 2, but left
with only one eye, thinks only of returning to his regiment in India and seeing
again his fiancé, Georgina. Alas, thinking him dead, she is no longer his.
Discouraged, Ian decides to resign his commission. When he
learns he has inherited the title of Lord of Kilkirk, he plans to return to
Scotland. But first he must carry out the request of his fellow prisoner, Potyr,
a Russian who died, and deliver a Bible/journal to the man’s niece, Larissa Alexandrovna. But “Lara” is now
Laura Stevenson, having taken the name of her stepfather who she loves.
Ian comes upon Laura in a crisis in the jungle where a man-eating
tiger threatens her camp and her stepfather has just died. Both suffer
nightmares from their past and bring each other comfort. Ian believes he cannot
perform sexually after his brutal beating in prison and Laura wants no sexual
relationship, so when Ian proposes a marriage of convenience, she accepts.
Heading for Bombay, they encounter many adventures and a
detour that reveals a plot Pyotr was a part of to spread a fire over India, an
upheaval that will see the British gone. Along the way, Ian discovers he is
still a man in all ways.
Putney very cleverly inserts passages from Pyotr’s journal
that tell Laura much of her new husband and what happened while he was in
prison.
A rich tapestry intricately woven that gives you a look at
the many faces of India. A long but satisfying trip.
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