Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.
Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.
After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews is another five star read for me. I am a huge fan of her writing and this fourth installment of her Belles of London does not disappoint. This book centers around Stella Hobhouse, a silver haired horsewoman, and Teddy Hayes, an artist who would like nothing more than to paint this goddess.
However, Stella does not see herself as a goddess. In her eyes, those silver tresses are a cursed premature gray. It’s a look that makes her stand out as an oddity and object of pity. She would rather hide under a bushel than shine her light. Teddy is having none of this.
Teddy has had his own share of both the pity of others and his own frustrations with being wheelchair bound. Scarlet fever ravished his childhood home causing his legs to be paralyzed. He worked on honing his upper body and found that drawing scenes from outside his window kept his mind in shape. He strives to gain more freedom from his sister’s constant worry and become more independent especially after she marries. Two is company and three is a crowd.
Stella and Teddy see one another on several occasions but meet again at an art exhibit where the auburn haired subject of a painting inspires Stella to change her appearance. Stella decides to color her hair and attend a friend’s house party. She is desperate to escape her father’s attempt to sell her off to an odious man. The house party gives her five days to secure a match. This house party is where they meet again. Teddy, for his part, would recognize his goddess anywhere. He is confused as to why she is doing something so desperate.
Teddy tries desperately to convince her to pose for him and when he learns of her situation, offers her a marriage of convenience that would help both their situations. Teddy can truly establish himself in his own household and Stella would be safe in his care.
This book is the masterfully crafted love story about two people who have burdens all their own but who come together to overcome obstacles and thrive. It could be classified as a slow burn where the hero falls first. I loved how Mimi Matthews brought together the heroines of her other books in this series who are also known as The Four Horsewomen. I just love that moniker. I was also delighted to see characters from Parish Orohns of Devon series. Alec from that series is married to Teddy’s sister, Laura. I am sad to see the series end but rest assured I am already on the look out for more from Mimi Matthews.
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Readers, have you read Mimi Matthews yet?
How do you feel about premature graying? Would you color your hair or go natural? (no right or wrong answer here)
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 23 will receive a print copy of The Muse of Maiden Lane.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
