Nancy C. reviewed on 3/10/2007 + 28 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

Story opens in 1892. The main character, Celia, is part English, part Spanish gypsy spent her early years in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka, I believe) on a tea plantation. She is sent to live with her father's aunt and uncle in England after the death of her mother for a "proper" upbring. By 17, she is desperate to return to Ceylon and agrees to marry the man who has been running the plantation since the death of her father. An unexpected codicil to her father's will abruptly sends her to live with his sister for a London season. Her true aunt is kind and gentle to her, unlike those who raised her. Her aunt calls her stepson to join them to be Celia's escort. He begins to fall for her. She meets with gypsies in the country and her first experience with "her people" is disorienting. She forgets about her betrothed in Ceylon but eventually realizes she must go back and tell him she can't marry him. What Celia doesn't know is that her fiancee is not who she thinks he is and he has evil plans for her.

Celia isn't my favorite character but there are lots of twists and turns in the story that will keep you guessing for quite a while.

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