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LADY SILENCE
By Blair Bancroft
Traditional Regency
July 2005
Signet
ISBN: 0-451-21586-9

Katy Snow has a secret. Everyone knows that, but no one knows what the secret involves, because Katy won’t talk. Ever.

She showed up on the snowy doorstep of Farr Park and was taken under the wing of the staff and the lady of the house, but when it became apparent that the silent girl was gently born, the mystery deepened.

As Katy grew to womanhood she became the companion of the dowager countess of Mortaine, but she never forgot the young soldier who was the master of Farr Park, Damon Farr, her employer’s son. Damon has returned from the wars a bitter and disillusioned man, and the last thing he needs is his mother sheltering an adventuress under his roof. He’s convinced that the little jade doesn’t speak because it would betray her common roots, and he’s determined to unmask this imposter before she can bring shame to his mother and his household. But when Damon makes Katy serve as his secretary in the hopes of uncovering her secrets, he finds himself unwillingly drawn to the beautiful, but silent, girl, an attraction that can only end in disaster for both of them.

This novel has a great deal going for it. A plucky heroine who uses her wits to good purpose, a bitter but mostly honorable hero, a plot that only has a few holes in it (why doesn’t Katy communicate with Mortaine by writing notes rather than scowling and gesturing?). One of the negatives to this novel is the hero. He turns hot and cold in his dealings with Katy like a debutante who can’t make up her mind, rather than acting like a seasoned military commander. And his relations with her reach a real low point when he practically tells a couple of his friends they can molest Katy because it’s only what she deserves for not being honest with them. There’s not a lot to like about this guy, but the author works hard to try and redeem him for the reader and for silent Miss Snow.

LADY SILENCE is an interesting plot idea that will engage the reader. Ms. Bancroft’s career shows promise, and this novel may bring her some new fans.

 -- Reviewed by Eve Ackerman

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