The Work of Art

The Work of Art (2019) Mimi Matthews

Set in England in 1814

Phyllida Satterthwaite lived with her grandparents until their death, at which point she was taken to London to live with her uncle, who Had Plans For Her.

both of her cousins immediately perked up, as if they expected Philly to receive the harshest reproof.

Captain Arthur Heywood is a second son who was seriously wounded and has spent the past several years recovering in solitude. He is sent by his father into London to conduct some business, and it is there he meets Philly.

I actually had difficulty starting this story, because I was worried that Uncle Edgar’s plans for Philly would actually take place, and I did not want to read that story. Luckily, Arthur rescues Philly, and the heart of the story is their coming to know each other–and discover just who is behind the threats to Philly.

One of the things I particularly liked about this story was 1) that both characters talked to each other, and 2) that neither’s concerns were overblown. Arthur truly believed that he could accidentally kill Philly, because of what had happened to him during the war, and once he explained this to her, she understood his fears and tried not to make things more difficult for him.

Philly went very still in his arms. “That’s why you were so certain that you might have killed me? Because of what you did to this other man?”

Arthur felt a sinking sensation in his stomach as he looked down at her. “I’ve frightened you.”

“Yes. Perhaps a little. I didn’t believe you when you said you could have harmed me. I thought you were merely distraught. But now…” She was trembling.

Generally in romances, in situations like that, the man is overly worried and the women isn’t worried at all. This story makes it clear that Arthur’s fears were justified, but also that Philly wasn’t wrong to trust him.

And for pure amusement:

“I say, ma’am. ’Tis not safe!” Greene trotted up to join her, his words coming out in gasps as if it were he, and not his horse, who had just ascended the hill. “Uneven ground hereabouts… poachers… sheep!”

This wasn’t completely unreasonable, but it is still funny.

It was a very lovely story, and I quite liked the way the bit of mystery turned out–I hadn’t seen the ending coming at all.

Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Rating: 7.5/10

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