Victoire (by Clare Darcy)

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I’m glad I decided to re-read the novels I have acquired, over the years, by Clare Darcy. She’s the only writer I’ve found whose regency romance books are anywhere near the brilliance of those by Georgette Heyer. A note in the front of my copy of ‘Victoire’ tells me that I first read it in 1990 and again in 1997. But evidently I hadn’t read it since then. And in nearly 30 years I had entirely forgotten the story and the characters.

However, the main cast are quite recognisable as Heyer-like people, authentically in their roles in the early 1800s. We first meet the rather irritable Earl of Escott and his more frivolous wife, awaiting a visitor. They’re quite apprehensive, as they know it involves their nephew the Marquis of Tarn, also known as Lewis. And, indeed, they meet a rather grasping man with a shy young woman whom he claims is his sister, with a broken heart due to her expectations being dashed. 

Something doesn’t seem quite right, since Lewis is rarely interested in shy young women. And sure enough, when Lewis (who should be abroad) returns unexpectedly, an attempted fraud is uncovered. This is followed by a kidnapping, and, through a series of circumstances, Lewis realises he has to find some kind of employment for the young lady, Victoire, who grew up in France with a military father, but who is now destitute. 

A chance comment from his aunt’s elderly cousin, Miss Standfield, makes Tarn decide he might as well marry Victoire. They have been hoping he would marry for years, and she seems eligible enough. He makes his proposal, making it clear that it would be a marriage of convenience. And Victoire agrees, although by then it’s clear that she has a pronounced tendre for the rakish Lewis…

The scene moves to London, as Miss Standfield agrees to organise Victoire’s wardrobe and sponsor her into the polite world. Victoire begins to attract attention of other young men, mostly positive. But she also attracts the negative attention of Tarn’s cousin Mr Fearon, who had hoped to step into Tarn’s shoes and become a Marquis himself. She is also rather disliked by Tarn’s previous mistress… and she herself does not like the way he has clearly been so free with his favours, and is so popular with women of dubious repute.

It’s a fast-paced story, with balls, and flirtations. There’s an outing that ends in potential disaster, and an old military friend of Victoire’s falling a little in love with her, after Tarn’s former mistress asks him to make himself agreeable to Victoire. Then there’s another abduction towards the end with a dramatic and satisfactory conclusion. 

It’s all very much in the style of Heyer, although there isn’t quite as much ironic humour. I very much liked Victoire. She is independent, feisty and very active, and doesn’t much like being so restricted, which was expected of young women of the era. She expresses herself bluntly at times, and doesn’t always behave as she is supposed to, although she tries hard to do what her mentors require. She reminded me strongly, at times of Leonie in ‘These old shades’. That was partly in her speech patterns, and partly in her character.

As for Tarn, he’s arrogant and promiscuous, but he is a generous and kind person underneath. He reminded me of several of Heyer’s heroes, with his quick temper and equally quick sense of humour that often banishes his wrath. 

And yet it’s a story on its own, well told and with the author’s voice albeit in Heyer’s style. I found myself quickly caught up in the plot, rooting for Victoire and very much appreciating her outspokenness and intelligence. Whether she and Tarn would be happy together seems rather dubious, as they spend a lot of time quarrelling; but they are good friends and share a sense of humour, so I would hope they would settle down and be content. 

All in all, I liked this book very much.  Recommended if you’re a fan of Heyer-style Regency romances. 

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