Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Duke of Jervaulx was a dangerous and intelligent man. He was referred to as the “D of J” in gossip sheets, which frequently featured him and his numerous antics. He was seen as dissolute, careless, and wasteful. The sheltered Maddy Timms, the calm daughter of a straightforward mathematician, was intrigued by even his most casual attentions, proving that even the most womanizing rake may occasionally be alluring.
Kinsale’s hero in Flowers from the Storm is a clever and dashing aristocrat who has recently had a stroke. He has been imprisoned in a macabre mental institution and is unable to communicate clearly or talk in sentences. Her protagonist is a Quaker who volunteers to work at the asylum; she belongs to an altogether other social class. It was a big struggle to pair the two of them, but Kinsale masterfully overcame the challenges of health, class, and general moral awareness.
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
76 used from $0.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
What an emotional roller coaster ride Ms Kinsale gives the reader as we follow the life of a powerful young duke who was born into prestige, wealth, extravagance, the pleasure of women, and whatever his heart desired. He is on the ride of his life without realizing how quickly everything in his world can change—often, never to be the same.
The Duke of Jervaulx, Christian Langland, is a brilliant mathematician, all-around rake, dog lover, and devoted friend. Christian is unaware that he is in the midst of his greatest crisis until his paramour’s husband calls him out for leaving his wife’s bed. Yes, the peculiar feeling he experiences when he leaves his mistress’s bed and descends the steps…
Christian maintains his commitments over the following few days, including a lecture at the Analytical Society to present a paper he and an elderly, blind Quaker man named Mr Timms collaborated on via messenger. This is despite struggling mightily with a headache and strange sensations in his arm and hand. Archimedia (Maddy), the daughter of Mr Timms, is aware of Christian’s reputation and is worried that he would misrepresent her nice, considerate father in order to make a funny joke. Not true; despite his numerous personalities, Christian is a serious mathematician who values his collaboration with Mr Timms.
The day following the speech, when he passes out on the duelling field, everyone assumes he has passed away. It’s a disappointment for Mr Tibbs, who sincerely valued Christian’s perspective and relished working with him.
Go ahead and fast-forward a few weeks. Maddy is utterly horrified to discover Christian as one of the institution’s patients as she and her father visit her cousin’s brand-new, opulent asylum, where Maddy is considering applying for a post. Additionally, he appears to be seen as a dangerous maniac who is unable to converse. But because of their close bond, Maddy quickly realizes that Christian is still alive and that all she needs to do is to guide him out of the shadows.
