The Indiscretion

Starred review from February 26, 2001

Set at the turn of the 19th century, Ivory's (The Proposition) powerfully evoked romance will satisfy readers with its subtle wit and rich characterizations. Lydia Bedford-Browne, the delicate daughter of an English viscount, decides to travel alone across Dartmoor, a vast expanse of barren flatlands, bogs and rocks. Her sole companion in the coach is a bruised and drunken Texas rancher named Sam Cody, who just missed his own wedding. When their inebriated driver falls off the coach, sending it careening into a bog, Lydia is more than thankful for the cowboy's presence. Stranded with few supplies and little sense of direction, the two set out to find a road and, in the process, discover that they share an affection for Buffalo Bill novels and each other. Despite the knowledge that her family and society would consider a relationship between a westerner and one of "England's daughters" deplorable, Lydia and Sam engage in an affair that ends abruptly when they are rescued. Through Lydia's struggles to reconcile her affection with her sense of family duty, Ivory gently emphasizes the plight of the powerless female and imbues her heroine with an admirable strength. The seamless narrative winds down to a rather pat conclusion, but readers will be charmed by Ivory's graceful descriptions and sympathetic characters. (Apr. 3)Forecast:A washed-out cover will do little to enhance this novel's sales, but critical praise (Ivory's last two books received stars from PW) may be sufficient to propel it into the limelight. If booksellers shelve Ivory (a.k.a Judy Cuevas) among authors like O'Day-Flannery and Julia Quinn, more readers are likely to take an interest in this rising star.