The Lass Wore Black by Karen Ranney (Avon)

Title: The Lass Wore Black

Author: Karen Ranney

Availability: Massmarket paperback and e-book (Avon/HarperCollins)

Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for my honest review

Summary: Catriona, a stunningly beautiful (and exceedingly selfish) young woman is scarred in a carriage accident. Believing she has nothing to offer the world without her looks, she allows herself to wallow in self-pity and despair.  Fearful that Catriona has lost her will to live, her family consults young Doctor Mark Thorburn.  Mark becomes determined to do whatever it takes to prove Catriona’s own worth to her – and in the process loses his heart.

Memorable Line:

“I see your beauty,” he said again.  “Perhaps one day you will, too.”

My Thoughts:

When I first requested this ARC I didn’t realize that the heroine had originally appeared in Ms. Ranney’s previous book, A Scandalous Scot.  I just remember thinking, “Oh, Karen Ranney – love her books, can’t go wrong here!”  If I had known that this was the same bratty Catriona who so vexed older sister Jean in A Scandalous Scot, I might not have requested to review it since I would have doubted ever finding her a redeeming character worthy enough to hold my attention for an entire book.  I owe Karen Ranney – and Catriona Cameron – an apology for my lack of faith.

The Catriona Cameron of A Scandalous Scot was a selfish, conceited brat – and she doesn’t start off any better in The Lass Wore Black.  Following the scandalous circumstances surrounding their parents’ deaths, a now penniless Jean and Catriona work as housemaids in a Scottish castle.  Jean works hard and makes the best of it, finding love with the Earl who employs them.  Catriona spends most of her time using her looks and her body to shirk her responsibilities and better her lot in life, going so far as to run off with the Earl’s houseguest to become his mistress.  The Earl intervenes and sends Catriona off to his aunt for finishing and preparation for a launch into Society.   (All this happens in A Scandalous Scot and is succinctly recapped so the reader does not feel confused).

Due to the kindness and largesse of her new brother-in-law, the Earl of Denbleigh, Catriona soon finds herself on the marriage mart in London.  Unfortunately London isn’t quite as exciting as she always imagined.  Catriona actual bemoans the fact that Prince Albert (consort to Queen Victoria) hadn’t died a few years earlier, as “the whole of society seemed to be in mourning even though it had already been months since the man died.  Was she supposed to spend all her time in London pretending a downcast air and speaking in a subdued whisper?”

A real saint, our Catriona. 

Catriona doesn’t get to explore London long before she is the victim of a horrible carriage accident that killed her maid and permanently maimed Catriona, leaving her with a web of scars on one side of her face and a seriously damaged leg.  Catriona choses to convalesce in Edinburgh with her chaperone Mrs. Dina MacTavish.  Although her body eventually begins to heal, it is obvious to Dina that Catriona is far from recovered, as she leave her room or eat properly.

Concerned Catriona has lost the will to live, Dina consults with the young, unorthodox, and exceedingly handsome Dr. Mark Thorburn.  Mark is the grandson (and eventual heir) of a wealthy Earl who divides his time between high society patients and caring for the destitute of Edinburgh’s slums.  Since Catriona refuses to allow a doctor to examine her, Mark disguises himself as a footman to gain entry to her room.  This is where the fun begins.  Lurking in the background of their burgeoning relationship is a former paramour of Catriona’s who is all too intimately aware of her soiled past and could easily destroy her.

I found the whole Doctor MacHottie posing as a footman a bit of a stretch.  Mark was already overextended juggling his patient load, visits to the poor and family obligations (including a less than half-hearted semi-attempt at courtship) to suddenly have time to pop over to Mrs. MacTavish’s house twice a day serve Catriona’s meals.  That being said, I loved the interaction between Mark and Catriona when he was “employed” to oversee her meals.  Mark didn’t tolerate Catriona’s attitude and highhandedness and she didn’t know how to deal with a man she couldn’t control with a mere fluttering of her lashes.  The relationship has an interesting dominant male acting in subservient position dynamic that really worked.

One thing that I really must praise Ms. Ranney for is giving us a heroine who owns her sexuality.  Catriona was aware of her power as a beautiful woman.  She was even self-aware enough to recognize that she sought the affection of men as a balm to the pain of losing her parents and the hardships that followed.  Catriona has been sexually active and she is unapologetic over it.  After her accident, Catriona believes she will never again experience passion.

“How did she survive the rest of her life without the touch of another human being?  How did she live without pleasures, kisses, or the stroke of trembling fingers on her bare skin?”

The attraction between Mark and Catriona is obvious from the start and Catriona takes charge of the situation, propositioning Mark.  That’s not to say that Mark doesn’t take control of their encounters.  (I’d have preferred if she lost the veil and Mark had been blindfolded instead – but I’m kinky like that)

Through all her experiences with Mark (and with the unwavering support and guidance of Mrs. MacTavish), Catriona finally looks at who she really is – and who she wants to be.  Mark is the first person to look past the masks that Catriona has worn, whether it be her beauty or now her heavy veil.

The woman he knew, shrouded in a veil and silence, wasn’t the epitome of all things decent, good and kind.  Neither was she evil.  She was simply human, flawed and with failings.

If not for the accident, Catriona would not have found Mark and without Mark she never would have found herself.  Mark loves and accepts Catriona for who she is and helps her to do the same for herself

“Neither of us is perfect.  Together, we can help each other be better, don’t you think?”

*sigh*

My Rating:      4.5/5 bottles of polish

Darn book actually made me cry!