R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1438 more book reviews
This historical fiction novel is based in Australia during the 19th century. Alexander Kinross has made a great deal of money searching for gold in the country. Feeling financially secure, he decides that it is time to find a wife even though he is in love with a madam who has dibs on his heart. And, he intends to keep his mistress, Ruby, who understands who he is. Nevertheless he wants a respectable woman who will raise his children and turns to Scotland and a family he knows for a bride.
Elizabeth Drummond is only sixteen when she finds herself on a ship bound for a strange country and a strange man who will be her husband. She is young, sheltered and inexperienced. He is older, traveled a good deal and experienced. What he expects is a mother and a wife he can show off in the communities where he lives. As expected, the marriage is in name only. Elizabeth discovers that her father "sold" her, a process Alexander facilitated in revenge for the father's treatment of him earlier in his life.
Elizabeth longs for romance which Alexander cannot give her nor can he understand this sensitive, beautiful woman. Strangely enough, his mistress, Ruby, likes Elizabeth and they become friends. Aware of her role as a mistress, she works to help Elizabeth understand Alexander. Thus the two women are linked to a man driven to succeed at whatever he does.
The story progresses along these lines. A daughter is born and Elizabeth focuses on her role as a mother. Alexander continues his search to increase wealth sharing his efforts with Ruby. At one point he becomes so obsessed with his importance he makes drastic changes in the company, cutting workers and wages of those who remain. While it may be a bit sappy, he finally returns to earlier tactics of taking care of workers. People do change! Yet the ending is not what I expected.
Elizabeth Drummond is only sixteen when she finds herself on a ship bound for a strange country and a strange man who will be her husband. She is young, sheltered and inexperienced. He is older, traveled a good deal and experienced. What he expects is a mother and a wife he can show off in the communities where he lives. As expected, the marriage is in name only. Elizabeth discovers that her father "sold" her, a process Alexander facilitated in revenge for the father's treatment of him earlier in his life.
Elizabeth longs for romance which Alexander cannot give her nor can he understand this sensitive, beautiful woman. Strangely enough, his mistress, Ruby, likes Elizabeth and they become friends. Aware of her role as a mistress, she works to help Elizabeth understand Alexander. Thus the two women are linked to a man driven to succeed at whatever he does.
The story progresses along these lines. A daughter is born and Elizabeth focuses on her role as a mother. Alexander continues his search to increase wealth sharing his efforts with Ruby. At one point he becomes so obsessed with his importance he makes drastic changes in the company, cutting workers and wages of those who remain. While it may be a bit sappy, he finally returns to earlier tactics of taking care of workers. People do change! Yet the ending is not what I expected.
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