Gifford's Lady (Harlequin Historical)

Rating:
Summary: OK; Heroine too Changeable
Review:
I am not sure why I wanted this book so much. I must have read a review or plot synopsis somewhere else. While I have paid dearly for many out of print books I wanted (Mary Balogh's in particular) and felt them worth every penny, this one was not worth the rather steep used price it is offered at.

What I liked: the premise is actually interesting; a shy companion (Abigail) meets a daring sea captain Sir Gifford Raven (newly inherited a baronetcy). One hot summer night Abigail sees Gifford leap naked from his bed in the throes of a nightmare from her window across from where he was staying. She is intrigued and a little excited by what she saw. Gifford had noticed her that hot summer night and he was embarrassed that she saw his weakness. As most of the book takes place in Bath, they are introduced in the Pump Room the next day by her old friend Admiral Pullen. It leads to a quick confession by Abigail about how brave he was to face his nightmares and some rather lurid fantasies by Gifford about what she might be like under that demure nightgown that he had seen her in. I liked the flow as each got to know the other. We are offered glimpses of Gifford's sea life, especially the time which causes the nightmares. He had lost an eye in one sea adventure and wears an eye-patch. (The references to pirates got tiresome.)

Then the book changes. Miss Wyndham (Abigail's employer) dies and at first I thought there was a little murder mystery involved but there was not. The will is read and we find out that there is no money left for her grand-nephew Charles Johnson (our smarmy villain) who has been staving off creditors with stories of his Aunt's jewels. Abigail is left dresses and a pianoforte. She arranges jobs for the older staff and begins to think of her own future. Charles, up to no good, abducts Abigail and sells her as a "bride." Of course our good Captain saves her - but then the mood and the heroine changes.

What I did not like: The remainder of the book is the trip to London after Gifford saves Abigail. I enjoyed most of the interaction and intimacy but Abigail turned into a rather bold woman saying and doing totally inappropriate things. She had been a companion in Bath for over 9 years and would have understood how to maintain rigid propriety. In one instance, she walked outside an inn in only a sheet! I never felt close to either the Captain or Abigail. There was a lot of misunderstandings and confusing behavior. I found Anthony, the cousin, a more interesting character but little of the secondary characters are made known.

In the end, I liked the book - descriptions of Bath and sea adventures were different than usual but the changeable heroine was not very believable.