REVIEW: Hidden Treasures by Kathleen Buckley
Allan Everard, a baron’s illegitimate son, is dismissed from his employment at his father’s death but inherits a former coaching inn. Needing to make a new life in London, he begins by leasing the inn to a charity.
Unexpectedly orphaned, Rosabel Stanbury and her younger sister are made wards of a distant, unknown cousin. Fearing his secretive ways and his intentions for them, Rosabel and Oriana flee to London where they are taken in by a women’s charity.
Drawn into Rosabel’s problems, with his inn under surveillance by criminals, Allan has only a handful of unlikely allies, including an elderly general, a burglar, and an old lady who knows criminal slang.
A traditional romance.
Dear Ms. Buckley,
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed finding the first book of yours I read which has led me to watching for each new release. Just to make things clear for readers, these are not steamy Georgian era Bridgerton books. I will also warn that this is more of a historical fiction with romance than a historical romance. There is also a lot of 18th century law woven through the story in fascinating ways.
As the bastard son, Allan has been made to know his place. His father ensured that Allan was educated well and trained as a steward. After being booted out, Allan is directed to and arrives in London where a lawyer (solicitors are referred to as lawyers throughout the book) tells Allan of a gift from his father – a gift rather than a bequest so Allan’s awful half-brother and family wouldn’t be able to contest it. Allan immediately realizes its possibilities. Allan impressed me from the start. He’s worked hard, learned a lot, knows he has to leave the family estate and then he sizes the new situation up and makes intelligent choices.
Rose Stanbury and her sister are at the mercy of the world after their father suddenly dies. After the family lawyer receives no response from their maternal grandfather about assuming guardianship for them, Mr. Brand discovers a long lost, distant family cousin who arrives at the manor knowing obviously nothing about country life. Soon Cousin Horace is changing things up, leaving Rose and Orie isolated and gradually growing afraid. Rose doesn’t just dash off with her sister. They have a plan but, as so often happens, the plan goes awry leaving them, 20 and 14, alone on a London street. Fate is kind and a (real) clergyman sees them and whisks them away to a refuge for women and children.
Rose is not one to sit on her genteel backside and soon pitches in, helping where she can. When she accompanies two of the charity managers to inspect a potential new, and more secure, location needed for the overflow, she also impresses Allan, owner of the property. His thought – she’s smart and lovely and if he could find a woman like her, he’d court and woo that woman. As a bastard, he knows he has no chance with her.
Soon though danger comes calling and it’s all hands on deck to protect Rose and Orie from the dastardly plans they fear their cousin has for them. The normal issues facing women alone, or women with abusive husbands or family, are shown through what happens to the sisters and the women in the charity house. Rose fears her cousin. There’s not much she can put her finger on initially but as evidence about him piles up, she knows she was correct. The plans seem to be, in a word, horrible.
Allan visits several people looking for evidence and witnesses. A (and this might be an example of things being just a little too convenient) fortuitous event brings someone else who can supply more information. The plot thickens more and adds further interesting characters. I adored many of these people – some of whom are mentioned in the blurb. Some are irascible, many are honorable, a few aren’t the high sticklers I would have expected but they come together to assist in an audacious plan Allan devises which might just save the day.
Only this is where things get really interesting. Toss together a no-nonsense magistrate, a lawyer, a nobleman, a relative, Allan, a possible felon, some dodgily obtained evidence, and two women outraged that none of the men thought to consult them and they all manage to not let perfect be the enemy of good. The wrap up is one I didn’t see coming. But the most good is obtained for as many people as is possible. Thoughts and opinions may vary and I’m still letting a few things percolate through my brain but … I think I’m mainly alright with how things are decided. Bonus points that the two women speak up and add their opinions.
The romance is lightly woven through the story. There are legitimate reasons each person holds back, doesn’t speak up, and wonders about what the other thinks. Allan might be a bastard but he’s honorable and waits until an exasperated relative basically pushes him towards Rose. Rose knows who she wants and if ever a woman moves a proposal along, she does. The two are well matched and I smiled happily. I wish there had been a bit more wrap-up about a few background things and relationships which accounts for the lower grade but overall, I enjoyed this. B+
~Jayne
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