THE FLORAL COMPANION
By
An occasionally slow-going but nonetheless engaging second novel from Bell (A London Season, 1983), this one set in post-Regency England--circa 1830--and starring spunky heroine Mrs. Caroline (""Carey"") Eliott, newly widowed, whose interest in botanical drawing (among other things) leads her to a long stay at scheming/greedy Cousin Clarissa's country estate. There, Carey will not only meet a (mostly) likable bunch of country folk--including the minister and his wife as well as the madam of the brothel across the street--but find a spot of real, grown-up romance. Pleasant entertainment for fans of the genre.