Once and Always, one of Judith McNaught's most masterful and moving love stories, powerfully brings to life the fiery passion of a free-spirited American beauty and a troubled English lord.
This book was glorious to read. I think I really enjoy the British settings and the whole Upper class rules of the Ton in London and how the servants are so curious and how they pass on information to each other so quickly. The servants are very loyal to the families they work for and from generation passed down to generation servant families dedicate themselves to serving one family. I don’t agree with all the rules of the ton, but back in the day that’s how it was done and probably done that way today as well.
Suddenly orphaned and alone, Victoria Seaton sails the vast ocean, eager to reclaim her heritage at Wakefield, the sumptuous English estate of a distant cousin, the notorious Lord Jason Fielding. Bewildered by his arrogance yet drawn to his panther-like grace, she senses the painful memories that smolder in his eyes. When he gathers her at last into his arms, arousing a sweet, insistent hunger, they wed and are embraced by fierce, consuming joy — free from the past's cruel grasp. Then, in a moment of anguish, Victoria discovers the treachery at the heart of their love . . . a love she had dreamed would triumph not just once, but always.
The main character Victoria Seaton is a sweet, young, naïve girl from America. Her parents loved her and her sister Dorothy and raised them in a little warm home. Her parents got into an accident and died leaving her and her sister with no one to care for them. Before their mother died, she told the doctor of relative’s names he could write to and see if they would be willing to care for them.
Victoria’s first love was Andrew Bainbridge who she grew up with back in America. He was older than she was but he loved her since she was very young and was waiting for the day he could wed her and make her his wife. He told her he was going to marry her and she thanked him and said that is lovely that she would be able to marry her dear friend. She was 14 at the time I believe when he told her. Things did not happen that way at all.
Dorothy was taken to her great grandmother and Victoria was taken to her uncle’s house and both of their relatives were wealthy. They were separated because their great grandmother did not want to take Victoria; she reminded her too much of her granddaughter Katherine (Victoria’s mother). Katherine was a beautiful woman who married an Irish physician and moved to America without her grandmother’s knowledge; yet her heart was with another man.
How tragic that must have been to marry someone and yet your love and heart is with another. I just can’t fathom that and would not wish that upon anyone. True Love does exist in my book!
Victoria, upon arriving to her Uncle Charles mansion, did not know that her uncle already took the liberty of announcing her engagement to her cousin Jason Fielding. Victoria and Jason are very much the opposite pair and their story just kept me reading and reading some more.
The thing I enjoyed about this book was that, Victoria was so naïve about everything even the birds and the bees. She was so fun loving and down right just cared about everyone including the servants. She taught her husband Jason Fielding how to be loved and how to love in return without giving diamonds or rubies which is what he thought love was based upon jewelry and gifts for women. A sailor friend of Jason’s told Victoria that if she would understand what Jason went thru in his childhood and life, she would be able to Love ONCE and ALWAYS, as he did with his wife.
I love that saying and it’s so true! There will come a time where we all find love or will fall in love many times, but there should be that one time when you fall in love just once and it will be for always! I guess I’m a hopeless romantic but most of us who read romance novels are. I’m a happily ever after type of person which is why I love Romance Novels because for the most part it will be a happy ending hooray! The world is so full of mishaps and chaos that if I’m reading a book and spending hours reading, it better be a happy ending
There were plenty of times where Victoria misunderstood Jason’s adult gestures but it wasn’t her fault she was not taught any of that adult intimacy stuff. She was beautiful and very kind and gentle to everyone she came in contact with. Jason knew he loved her the moment he laid eyes on her. Their marriage was arranged and although it was not predicated on love at first, I already knew that Jason loved his little young wife. He taught her how to make love and in time their love was REAL and LASTING! He missed her something terrible when she would leave and vice versa, but they were made for each other. Everyone who knew the real Jason, knew that Victoria was exactly what he needed, a caring and loving young woman. She didn’t care for his jewels or who his parents were she truly cared about Jason her handsome husband, he came to realize this and finally said the words he has never said before to any woman ‘I LOVE YOU”. Aww now that’s what I’m talking about. Due to his terrible childhood upbringing, he never cried! At one point in the book, everyone thought Victoria drowned in the lake, and Jason loving his wife finally cried!
A great story that had me wanting to read some more. Check it out and I’ll definitely be reading more of Judith McNaughts books. Another great author and book to add to the list. Thank you for good reading!
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