The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton

June 13, 2011
In Neville's humorous and charming third Burgundy Club Regency romp (after The Dangerous Viscount and The Wild Marquis), Celia Seaton, unaccomplished, penniless, and plain, plays a game of chance with the handsome and haughty Tarquin Comptin. Inexplicably kidnapped and forced to strip to her underwear, Celia attempts to escape and discovers the unconscious and half-clothed Tarquin lying across the doorway. When Tarquin awakens with amnesia, Celia, who has detested the popular dandy since he compared her to a vegetable, explains that he is Terence Fish, her fiancé. As they trek from the kidnapper's cottage toward civilization, "Terence" unexpectedly proves to be funny, thoughtful, and kind, but when Tarquin's memory resurfaces, so does the top-lofty gentleman who ruined Celia's prospects. Their desire to find the kidnapper keeps them connected and constantly aware of their deepening lust. Neville scores big with this mix of hilarity, mystery, and passion.