It Began in Vauxhall Gardens

By Jean Plaidy

Book Overview

Returning to the country of her birth to serve as companion to a wealthy young woman, Caroline, Englishwoman Melisande finds herself drawn to Caroline's lover and learns the secret of her own... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399136002
• ISBN13: 9780399136009
• Release Date: October 1991
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 20.0" x 20.0" x 20.0"

Customer Reviews

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION...

This book, also released under the title "Melisande", is based upon a true story that occurred in nineteenth century England that went on to become one of its most notorious scandals. It is a gripping account of the events that impacted upon a young woman's life and her resolution of the seemingly insoluble. This engrossing, historical fiction details the life of an exquisitely beautiful, young girl, Melisande St. Martin, who is brought up in a French convent, not knowing who her parents are. One day, when she is a young teenager, an Englishman whom she has seen in town from time to time, Sir Charles Trevenning, goes to the convent. Claiming to be her guardian, though he is, in fact, her father, he takes Melisande to England with him, his wife having died, so that she can be a companion to his legitimate daughter, Caroline. So begins Melisande's bizarre odyssey in life. After the grimness of life in the French convent, Melisande is thrilled by the promise of a new, more secular, life in a grand manor house in Cornwall. All, however, is not what it seems. As soon as Melisande arrives, she captures the unwanted attentions of Fermor, Caroline's devastatingly handsome fiance, incurring Caroline's bitter jealousy. Melisande tries to escape his attentions by developing a relationship with a French expatriate, Leon de la Roche, only to find that he, too, has issues. Ultimately, through the gossip of the servants, Melisande discovers that the kindly gentleman, whom she thought was her guardian, is, in fact, her father. He, wishing to preserve his reputation and avoid scandal, sends the still innocent Melisande to London, placing her in the care of Fennella, a wealthy and kindly woman of dubious reputation. There, things do not go according to plan, and Melisande leaves Fennella's home, finding a position as lady's maid to a Mrs. Lavender. It is in the Lavender's home that she makes the acquaintance of a yet another man who is to disappoint her. Their relationship would culminate in an event that would find eighteen year old Melisande standing trial for murder.

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION...

This book is based upon a true story that occurred in nineteenth century England and went on to become one of its most notorious scandals. It is a gripping account of the events that impacted upon a young woman's life and her resolution of the seemingly insoluble. This engrossing, historical fiction details the life of an exquisitely beautiful, young girl, Melisande St. Martin, who is brought up in a French convent, not knowing who her parents are. One day, when she is a young teenager, an Englishman whom she has seen in town from time to time, Sir Charles Trevenning, goes to the convent. Claiming to be her guardian, though he is, in fact, her father, he takes Melisande to England with him, his wife having died, so that she can be a companion to his legitimate daughter, Caroline. So begins Melisande's bizarre odyssey in life. After the grimness of life in the French convent, Melisande is thrilled by the promise of a new, more secular, life in a grand manor house in Cornwall. All, however, is not what it seems. As soon as Melisande arrives, she captures the unwanted attentions of Fermor, Caroline's devastatingly handsome fiance, incurring Caroline's bitter jealousy. Melisande tries to escape his attentions by developing a relationship with a French expatriate, Leon de la Roche, only to find that he, too, has issues. Ultimately, through the gossip of the servants, Melisande discovers that the kindly gentleman, whom she thought was her guardian, is, in fact, her father. He, wishing to preserve his reputation and avoid scandal, sends the still innocent Melisande to London, placing her in the care of Fennella, a wealthy and kindly woman of dubious reputation. There, things do not go according to plan, and Melisande leaves Fennella's home, finding a position as lady's maid to a Mrs. Lavender. It is in the Lavender's home that she makes the acquaintance of a yet another man who is to disappoint her. Their relationship would culminate in an event that would find eighteen year old Melisande standing trial for murder.

Beautiful!

Melisande St. Martin grew up in a convent in France, not knowing who her parents were. She dreamed of being taken away by a member of her rich family, as one of her friends did. One day, her dream comes true. Her father, Sir Charles Travenning, takes her away. However, she does not know he is her father. He tells her he knew her father, and is doing him a favor. In fact, he is doing the favor to his ill-fated lover, Melisande's dead mother.Once she goes to Sir Charles' home, she is made a companion to his soon to be married daughter Caroline, Melisande's half-sister. There, Melisande falls in love with Fermor, Caroline's fiancee, and after that turns dangerous, she falls in love with Leon, an escaped French aristocrat. She is soon betrayed by both, and flees to Fenella's dress shop, where she displays clothes to the wealthy. Once again, she falls in love, this time a lawyer. She is betrayed again, and flees again. This time, the final time, as a lady's maid. Here is where tragedy strikes the tragic heroine of this story. She is to stand trial. . .for murder.I didn't think to much of this book when I started reading it. I was soon sucked in the story. It is wonderfully written, as are all of Plaidy's works, but this one is special. The last few pages has words so beautiful, it brought me to tears. Unfortunately, I was in school when I read it, and had to stifle them. This book is perfect for anyone interested in a good book with a beautiful ending.

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION...

This book is based upon a true story that occurred in nineteenth century England that went on to become one of its most notorious scandals. It is a gripping account of the events that impacted upon a young woman's life and her resolution of the seemingly insoluble.This engrossing, historical fiction details the life of an exquisitely beautiful, young girl, Melisande St. Martin, who is brought up in a French convent, not knowing who her parents are. One day, when she is a young teenager, an Englishman whom she has seen in town from time to time, Sir Charles Trevenning, goes to the convent. Claiming to be her guardian, though he is, in fact, her father, he takes Melisande to England with him, his wife having died, so that she can be a companion to his legitimate daughter, Caroline.So begins Melisande's bizarre odyssey in life. After the grimness of life in the French convent, Melisande is thrilled by the promise of a new, more secular, life in a grand manor house in Cornwall. All, however, is not what it seems. As soon as Melisande arrives, she captures the unwanted attentions of Fermor, Caroline's devastatingly handsome fiance, incurring Caroline's bitter jealousy. Melisande tries to escape his attentions by developing a relationship with a French expatriate, Leon de la Roche, only to find that he, too, has issues.Ultimately, through the gossip of the servants, Melisande discovers that the kindly gentleman, whom she thought was her guardian, is, in fact, her father. He, wishing to preserve his reputation and avoid scandal, sends the still innocent Melisande to London, placing her in the care of Fennella, a wealthy and kindly woman of dubious reputation. There, things do not go according to plan, and Melisande leaves Fennella's home, finding a position as lady's maid to a Mrs. Lavender. It is in the Lavender's home that she makes the acquaintance of a yet another man who is to disappoint her. Their relationship would culminate in an event that would find eighteen year old Melisande standing trial for murder.

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION...

This book is actually a reprint of the book originally released under the name "It Began In Vauxhall Gardens". It is based upon a true story that occurred in nineteenth century England that went on to become one of it's most notorious scandals. It is a gripping account of the events that impacted upon a young woman's life and her resolution of the seemingly insoluble.This engrossing, historical fiction details the life of an exquisitely beautiful, young girl, Melisande St. Martin, who is brought up in a French convent, not knowing who her parents are. One day, when she is a young teenager, an Englishman whom she has seen in town from time to time, Sir Charles Trevenning, goes to the convent. Claiming to be her guardian, though he is, in fact, her father, he takes Melisande to England with him, his wife having died, so that she can be a companion to his legitimate daughter, Caroline.So begins Melisande's bizarre oddysey in life. After the grimness of life in the French convent, Melisande is thrilled by the promise of a new, more secular, life in a grand manor house in Cornwall. All, however, is not what it seems. As soon as Melisande arrives, she captures the unwanted attentions of Fermor, Caroline's devastatingly handsome fiance, incurring Caroline's bitter jealousy. Melisande tries to escape his attentions by developing a relationship with a French expatriate, Leon de la Roche, only to find that he, too, has issues.Ultimately, through the gossip of the servants, Melisande discovers that the kindly gentleman, whom she thought was her guardian, is, in fact, her father. He, wishing to preserve his reputation and avoid scandal, sends the still innocent Melisande to London, placing her in the care of Fennella, a wealthy and kindly woman of dubious reputation. There, things do not go according to plan, and Melisande leaves Fennella's home, finding a position as lady's maid to a Mrs. Lavender. It is in the Lavender's home that she makes the acquaintance of a yet another man who is to disappoimt her. Their relationship would culminate in an event that would find eighteen year old Melisande standing trial for murder.