Cecily (by Clare Darcy)

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According to the front of my copy of Clare Darcy’s novel ‘Cecily’, I acquired it in 1990 and re-read it in 1997. I don’t think I have read it since then. So I had entirely forgotten the story. Clare Darcy is the only writer I’ve found whose ‘Regency romance’ books feel as authentic as Georgette Heyer’s, and I’m pleased that, at last, I’ve decided to re-read the ones on my shelves.

‘Cecily’ opens with a scene at the theatre. Mr Robert Ranleigh arrives towards the end of the second act of a play, despite having been invited to join a party that includes the eligible and attractive Miss Comerford. Mr Ranleigh, we quickly learn, is handsome, very rich, and related to many of the upper classes. 

He then goes to another box to speak to his cousin who is there with some friends, and becomes caught up in some banter about the leading lady of the piece, Miss Daingerfield-Nelson. If Mr Ranleigh does not attempt to invite her to dinner, his cousin will lose money which he can ill afford to lose. So, rather reluctantly, Mr Ranleigh issues an invitation…

Miss Daingerfield-Nelson, it turns out, is a distant relative of Mr Ranleigh’s, and has been eager to meet him. She is orphaned, without any inheritance, living simply with her aunt. She wants to know if Mr Ranleigh would be willing to recommend her to some of his friends as a governess for young children. She knows that it’s not considered respectable to be on stage, so she has adopted a stage name. 

Cecily Hadley (her real name) is taken under the wing of Mr Ranleigh’s somewhat autocratic (but basically kind) mother. And then her life takes on many changes, including running away, falling in love, and making new friends. Cecily is quite naive, but knows her own mind and she can be quite outspoken. She becomes very friendly with Mr Ranleigh’s young cousin Charlie, and gradually realises she’s becoming rather too fond of Mr Ranleigh himself.

There are plenty of twists and turns to the story, which kept me reading at every odd moment. I assumed everything would work out in the end, but had little idea how this would happen. It’s a good story. The conversation, descriptions and activities feel entirely authentic to me; perhaps the author (who was American) was inspired by Georgette Heyer, and studied her many novels; maybe she did other research. I didn’t notice any anachronisms.

On the other hand, the novel doesn’t have Heyer’s light touch of irony. Nor does it have Heyer’s gift of characterisation. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Ranleigh and Cecily, nor were there any passages that made me chuckle, or even smile. I did like young Charlie; he is believable, and very likeable. I could sympathise, too, with Cecily’s aunt and with Ranleigh’s mother. 

Indeed, I may well read this book again in another ten years; there’s nothing to dislike, and the pace is good. The plot is well done, too. But neither Ranleigh nor Cecily are entirely three-dimensional, and the conclusion, while satisfactory for all concerned, does nothing for me. I didn’t have any desire for the book to be longer, or to know what happened after the end. 

Worth reading if you like this style of light historical fiction set mainly amongst the upper classes. But don’t expect the brilliant satire or characterisation of Georgette Heyer. 

Review copyright 2024 Sue's Book Reviews