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MY REVIEW

I love a good anthology with stories the perfect length to read at bedtime before falling asleep. This collection contains stories by several of my favorite authors. The most appealing ones in the collection–to me, at least–ended up being “Epiphany Day” by Christina Dudley and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by GL Robinson.

“Epiphany Day” showcased a schoolmistress staying at an aristocratic household when a hunting accident injures a visiting gentleman. Since there is no nurse available (besides a drunk and disorderly woman whom the doctor dismisses immediately), Eliza is prevailed upon by the lady of the house to act as nurse to Mr. Thornton. Two problems present themselves: Mr. Thornton’s ocular nerve seems to be damaged so he must keep a cover over his eyes, and Mr. Thornton has a reputation for carefree manners toward the fair sex. Eliza, who is as resourceful as she is witty, assures everyone that she will not “venture into the lion’s den” without a chaperone, “lest the blind cripple spring up from the sofa and seduce me before I have time to run away.” She discovers that Mr. Thornton is not quite as villainous as reported, and he–after getting over his cantakerous exasperation–discovers that he quite likes listening to Eliza read to him, spar with him, and feed him his soup . . . even if she is as horribly plain and dreadfully old as she claims to be. The title of the story–“Epiphany Day”–is, of course, a pun as Mr. Thornton’s blindness is resolved once and for all with a startling epiphany that leads to a happily ever after.

“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” also features an accident that throws the main couple together. When the wheel of Mr. Fortescue’s conveyance is dashed to pieces by his reckless driving, he and his tiger walk through the wintry weather until they reach a cottage glowing with candlelight. Inside, an elderly gentleman and his daughter Elisabeth invite them to stay the night. After all, it’s Christmas Eve, and no one will be available to repair the carriage until Boxing Day. Mr. Fortescue, who has led something of a spoiled existence, discovers that the cheerful, diligent, and delightful Elisabeth Wilberforce is just the person he needs to stir him up out of his selfishness. Elisabeth, on the other hand, is quite smitten by the handsome stranger . . . until a spiteful lady insists on telling her that Mr. Fortescue is not exactly who he says he is. The atmosphere of Regency Christmastime and Elisabeth’s sparkling personality make this romance satisfyingly heartwarming and the perfect conclusion to the anthology.

Although the rest of the anthology was somewhat of a mixed bag, to these two stories, I would give a whole bowl of sugar plums . . . or five stars, if we’re being precise.

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“Coming back to Anthea,” said Elisabeth after a pause, “I take it you are good friends? She called you darling.”

“I don’t know what to say without sounding like a poltroon. Yes, I know her. Yes, she calls me darling but I do not call her the same. Does that answer your question?”

-“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by GL Robinson

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