Title: Lure of the Emerald Peacock
Author: Romona Hilliger
Published in 2006 by Linden Bay Romances
Genre: Historical Vintage Romance
ISBN: 1-905393-64-4
Other Books by : Hunting With The Wolf A Shadow From His Past
Geraldine Pearce was a lovely young girl, and she has grown into a most beautiful woman. She was the daughter of the Maharaja of Khadampur's favoured shikari, and has been left in the care of the Maharaja and the Raj Mata since her father's death. Geraldine, called Dina by those at the palace, has been brought up around the palace and its intrigues all her life, but nothing prepared her for the demise of the old Raja and the rise of his depraved and very warped son, Ashok. She is in a sense, alone and outcast, for she is a half-breed, her father English, her mother an Indian Princess. The only thing left of her family's once untold wealth is a beautiful antique brooch handed down from mother to daughter over generations. The pin is shaped like a peacock, and the emerald forming the bird's body is breathtaking, the rest of the jewels flashing fire to compliment the stunning piece. It was placed in the hands of the old Maharaja by her father as he lay dying. The Emerald Peacock was to be in safe keeping for Dina, and given to her on her twenty-first birthday. The day has long past, and she knows Ashok covets the brooch, and means to keep it for himself. There is not much she can do, as Ashok has endeavored to set himself up as the ultimate ruler. He knows of Dina's hatred for him, and has plans and designs on her, hoping to use the brooch, the return of her inheritance as leverage to force her into sexual slavery.
The time has come, and the English are withdrawing from India, the British with their stuffy superiority, and high-handed ways will not be missed. They thought their rule benevolent, but the strife it engendered, and their superior attitudes left a whole turbulent mix of emotion built on the hatred. Dina knows it will be a whole new world when they leave for good, but her heart will go with them. The plain fact is love for a man has brought her low, and although Duncan MacGavin has professed his love for her, she can't seem to credit it with truth. She has already faced a clergyman whose prejudice would not let him perform the marriage service for her and Duncan, and her best friend Derek has shown his colours as well. He hates the idea of her marriage, even if it would make her happy, and even though he too is Anglo-Indian. He has shown Geraldine he has no tolerance for anything English in spite of his own background. With her life in peril of falling totally apart, Dina has to learn to trust, to love, to believe in someone. She must get her beloved peacock from Ashok's greedy hands without sacrificing her life, her love or her body. Dina must learn who to trust, as a tumultuous India moves to claim her birthright. For Dina, safety may just come down to love if she dares to take the chance...
Duncan MacGavin is a man who knows what he wants, and he will get it eventually. From the moment the gangs imprisoned him, and Ashok had him released, he knew trouble was in the wind. He can see Ashok for what he is, a fat, overbearing little man who is totally possessed and obsessed by the power at his command. He sees him as the threat he is, and for the most part, it puts Duncan one step ahead. Duncan knows Ashok's only goal is to see his palace completed, and it is for that reason alone he has a semblance of safety. With the rule of the British Raj coming to an end, India is heading toward turmoil. Already gangs are running in the streets, threatening anyone who appears to be English, and even some who are not. Cries of "Quit India," are heard throughout the country. Dina is his life, his love but even at a party for one of her childhood friends, Duncan has been threatened. His one great regret is the treatment Dina has received at the hands of some of the people he considered friends. The hopes of marriage to her temporarily put on hold because of a cleric's prejudice, the snide remarks by some of the English at his club, and the general disregard of her heritage cause him to be ever on the alert.
His job is complete, and Duncan has accepted a contract back home in Scotland. Although pursued by many beautiful daughters of the English gentry who reside in Khadampur, Duncan has eyes for no one bout Dina. He has no intention of leaving, however, without Geraldine. He senses the danger she is in from Ashok. Duncan knows of her bravery, stubbornness, and her love of her adopted mother, the Raj Mata, but he must get her away from the cruel intents of the man who would not only own her brooch, but her body as well. Duncan has known men like Ashok before and Dina's feelings would be cruelly pushed aside were Ashok to get the upper hand. Ashok would use her, abuse her, then throw her away like so much garbage, and Duncan is not about to let that occur. Since Ashok won't part with the Emerald Peacock, Duncan steals into his quarters, and relieves him of the pin before he and Dina can flee Khadampur. He knows they will not be totally safe until they leave India behind, and that is something Dina is uneasy about doing. Now, with Dina's safety his top concern, he must find a way to get them free from Ashok's threat, from the henchmen he will put on their tail...
From one end of India to the other, Romona Hilliger brings us a sweeping tale of a wondrous jewel and the headstrong and beautiful woman who owns it. Duncan MacGavin is a handsome, proud, and bold Scot, who will go to any lengths to secure the safety Geraldine Pearce, the woman he loves. Geraldine Pearce is a fierce and beautiful calf-caste who is coveted by a mean and vicious ruler. She is not only wanted for her lush body, but also for the beautiful Emerald Peacock brooch, the last remnant of her mother's family legacy. Ashok, the spoiled and tyrannical ruler of Khadampur wants the brooch, and had it for a while. It was not his to keep, and with the help of Mata Raj, Dina and Duncan took it back. The odds against them are great, and as they make their plans a leave the palace, other forces are being put into play to try to stop them.
Lure of the Emerald Peacock is a brilliantly written tale full of excitement, and the flash of the glitter that was once India. Set in the time of independence, the danger and suspense of the era is rife through and through and lends a aura of mystery and suspense to the book. Duncan is a strong character, and he is sure of his love and feelings for Geraldine. Of Geraldine, I can only say she tries, but she has to find her own way and decide who her master will be in the end. Her endless indecision, and poor judgment are forever putting her in harms way, and Duncan has his hands full with her doubts. Between the two, the stage is set for a delightful read, filled with the glamour, suspense, and the wildness of the period. Ms Hilliger's skillful storytelling makes Lure of the Emerald Peacock an excellent read, and one you will go back to again and again. Romona's book is available now and can be found at Linden Bay Romances. If you want a really good trip to the India of the 1940's, then Lure of the Emerald Peacock is a read you won't want to miss.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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