That Scandalous Evening Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

Christina Dodd rarely fails to deliver a wonderfully constructed humorous story, and she certainly hits the mark with this one. The nude statue is hilarious, and even better is the nickname Ransom is given after the unveiling. I won't spoil it by giving it away, but I still laugh every time I think about it! The love scenes are quite erotic which is something else I've come to expect from Ms. Dodd. This is a five star keeper. Read it and be prepared for a laughing good time!

Miss Jane Higgenbothemï¿s obsessive devotion to the handsome and arrogant Ransom Quincy, Marquess of Blackburn, led her eleven years before to sculpt a secret, full-sized naked model of him in clay. Unfortunately, someone stole the sculpture and unveiled it at a huge party where she, Blackburn and the rest of the ton beheld the exquisite but scandalous art object in horror. Jane was so socially ruined that she had to leave London. Lord Blackburn, an arbiter of society, was laughed at but not ruined. In revenge and passion he nearly deflowered Jane before her departure.

Now Jane is back with her gorgeous, charming and insightful niece Adorna, who is making her societal debut. For his own secret and unromantic reasons, Lord Blackburn decides to pursue Jane, only to find himself falling in love with her even while he suspects she may be a spy for the French. For her own part, spinster Jane is no longer the love struck, naïve girl who worshipped Blackburnï¿s perfect body and grace so many years before. She does not trust his advances yet is unable to completely rebuff them.

This novel is marred by a hero and heroine who are both too stuffy and proper. In addition, Blackburn has an insufferable superiority complex and cruel indifference to others that makes him very unattractive, despite any good looks and superficial charm he may possess. He eventually (very late in the book) grows beyond these, but without the earlier glimmers of goodness, itï¿s too late. I disliked him most of the book.

Jane is a talented but self-repressed artist who is afraid of offending others by practicing her art. I did feel sympathy, but her utter propriety at all times was boring. Toward the end she became annoying when she refused to even consider that Blackburn might really love herï¿when he, his best friend and others repeatedly stressed his love for her. Also, she refuses for too long to forgive Blackburn his former suspicion that she could be a spy. She wonï¿t allow herself to show him any affection and is harsh and bitchy with him at every opportunity. While it would be horrible to find out that oneï¿s husband had suspected one of being a spy, she carries it too far and comes off as mean-spirited.

I have enjoyed other Christina Dodd novels and hope that future ones I read will not be spoiled by such unlikable characters.