A Touch of Love

A Touch of Love is #68 in the Bantam series and was published in August 1977. It is the story of Tamara, who becomes a "governess" in order to stay with her nephew and nieces after the death of their parents in a boating accident. She takes them to their uncle and new guardian, the Duke of Granchester under her assumed name and role. Find out what happens after they arrive is this romantic novel from Barbara Cartland!

This cover by Francis Marshall is an outdoor scene where our heroine is playing in a haystack with the children when the hero rides by and startles them. Note her regency gown and bonnet. The children are adorable angels while our hero is sardonic as he passes. In the background is a glimpse of the house on the estate.

Many country estates were working farms and many sustained the family of the estate and provided jobs and food for the workers. Besides a farm, there would be a dairy, gardens for vegetables and flowers, animals raised, and other local crafts. An estate would usually have a village nearby that contained the church, a pub, a smithy, and maybe an inn.

The Outrageous Lady

The Outrageous Lady is #67 in the Bantam series and was published in July 1977. It is the story of Galatea, Lady Roysdon, who parties through Regency London even though her husband is in a coma. Many men pursue her, but she doesn't fall in love until a highwayman kisses her after holding up her carriage. How the "outrageous" lady is able to have her happy ever after is the romantic plot of this story by Barbara Cartland!

Francis Marshall paints the scene where the highwayman holds up the carriage and kisses Lady Roysdon and it's very romantic with the heroine dainty in a white ballgown with a heavy purple cloak while our hero is tall and handsome in a dark blue jacket and tan trousers. Note how the blue background and mist on the trees makes for a twilight setting and emphasizes the couple. A great picture for a great story!

Punishment of a Vixen

Punishment of a Vixen is #66 in the Bantam series and was published in July 1977. It is the story of Nevada van Arden, an American heiress who is kidnapped by Tyrone Strome after he heard her refuse and insult his nephew, David. She learns to do for herself and he learns how hard was her upbringing. Can these two very different people fall in love?

Francis Marshall paints our couple in Arabian garb in an exotic setting. It is beautiful with the cool green couch and throws around the room along with her bright blue caftan and jewels. The cover shows off Marshall's considerable talents! Don't forget to click on the photo to see it enlarged.

The Curse of the Clan

The Curse of the Clan is #65 in the Bantam series and was published in June 1977. It is the story of Tara and how she is taken from the orphanage where she was raised to become the wife of the Duke of Arkcraig. How she finds her father and becomes a duchess is the romantic plot of this story by Barbara Cartland!

Francis Marshall paints a story with this picture! You wonder why the lady is dressed so plainly and is being confronted by the man. The colors and plaids are eye popping and it makes you wonder what is going to happen next. This has always been one of my favorite Cartland novels!

Many aristocrats supported orphanages but the conditions in most were sad. Young people were apprenticed around the age of 12 to learn a trade in order to support themselves.

A Duel with Destiny

A Duel with Destiny is #64 in the Bantam series and was published in June 1977. Rowena lives in a little village with her Doctor father when the Marquis of Swayne is injured in an accident and taken to their house. While recuperating, he realizes that they are gentry, but poor and tries to help them financially, but Rowena is very proud and he falls in love with her, but isn't quite willing to offer marriage. Rowena can't prevent him from helping her family, but she does have one hand to play!

Francis Marshall paints a beautiful picture for the cover of this Cartland novel! Our heroine is beautiful in an aqua regency dress while our hero is dashing with his orders and formal dress! I like how you can tell that it's an outside gathering with the Chinese lanterns and the crowd behind the couple.

We don't realize how important birth was to the gentry and aristocracy. While men may have mistresses that were low born, they rarely married anyone not of their class and birth. Many marriages were arranged, but marrying for love was becoming popular in regency times.

Look, Listen and Love

Look, Listen, and Love is #63 in the Bantam series and was published in May 1977. Tempura Rothley and her beautiful step mother hope to marry quickly in order to avoid financial ruin after the death of her father. She goes to the south of France disguised as a lady's maid for her step mother because they can't afford to hire one. While there, she meets the Duke of Chevingham and falls in love!

Francis Marshall paints a beautiful cover of our couple in an elegant room with a painting nearby that looks like our heroine. The moonlight over the water is romantic and our couple is in love!

Many women found themselves in financial straights after the death of their husbands because any estates or money could be inherited by the next male kin. Called entails, they kept large estates intact. Usually any money a women inherited had to be preserved separately for her use.

The Marquis Who Hated Women

The Marquis Who Hated Women is #62 in the Bantam Series and was published in May 1977. Shikara meets up with the Marquis after he finds her escaping from an unwanted marriage. She is traveling to Egypt to meet her father and he is fleeing an unwanted mistress, so they decide to travel together!

Francis Marshall paints an interesting picture of our couple in an embrace. Note the pistol that the hero is holding. From the cover, I'm sure that they meet with many exciting adventures on the way and in Egypt!

Traveling in the 1800's was getting easier every decade, but still fraught with danger! Most people traveled by water, which was faster than by land. It took much longer to get from place to place and it was definitely for the very wealthy!