Something Wonderful (1988) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

• Jordan Addison Matthew Townsende: (Hawk); 27 years old, the hero of the novel; tall, dark, fatally handsome, and rich, 12th Duke of Hawthorne, Marquess of Landsdowne, Viscount Leeds, Viscount Reynolds, Earl Townsende of Marlow, Baron Townsende of Stroleigh, Richfield, and Monmart, rake. Hero.
• Alexandra Lawrence: 19 years old, the spirited and intelligent heroine of the novel and an innocent country girl, she wants to please her father no matter what, innocent. Heroine.
• Anthony Townsende: Jordan's cousin, smart, sweet.
• Mary Ellen O'Toole: Alexandra's best friend.
• Penrose: Alexandra's ancient and deaf family butler; like a father to her.
• Filbert: Alexandra's ancient and shortsighted family footman; like a father to her.
• Montague Marsh: (Uncle Monty); Alexandra's uncle, expects preferential treatment as a Knight of the Realm.
• George Lawrence: Alexandra's father; his treatment of her mother made her distrustful of marriage, comes to visit only every so often.
• Elizabeth Grangerfield: Lord Grangerfield's wife; seduces the Duke of Hawthorne which leads to her husband being wounded in a duel.
• Elise Grandeaux: Beautiful ballerina; the Duke of Hawthorn's current paramour.
• Melanie: Alex's friend, smart, witty.
• Roderick Carstairs: Loves gossip, anyone who befriends him is automatically accepted into the ton, Alex's friend.
• Bertie Townsende: Jordan's cousin, Tony's brother, crippled at birth.
• Catherine Harrington: Lady, Jordan's mistress when he was 18.
• Lord Harrington: One Jordan's mothers affairs, Catherine's husband.
• Lady Townsende: Jordan's mother.
• Lady Milborne: Jordan's father's paramour.
• Duke of Hawthorne: Jordan's father, Lady Milborne was his paramour.
• Mr. Gimble: Alexandra's grandfather, shared his knowledge with his granddaughter.
• Felicia Gimble Lawrence: Alexandra's mother, married a man exactly like her, weak and selfish, blinded by George's looks.
• Lord Grangerfeild: Jordan shot him.

Quotes edit see section history

• “I was wondering if there's the slightest chance that I'm only in the 'caterpillar stage' just now, and someday soon I'll change into a butterfly and be beautiful?”

  Alexandra Lawrence

• “Every season of the year comes with a promise that something wonderful is going to happen to me someday.”

  Alexandra Lawrence

• “Chaste pecks are permissible between an engaged couple in the rose garden; however, more passionate kissing must be done with more discretion, in the arbor.”

  Jordan Townsende

• “If you don't trust, you'll never be disappointed by someone. But you will also cheat yourself of the chance to ever be completely happy.”

  Alexandra Lawrence

• “What did he see?" Alexandra asked in an aching whisper from the doorway. Lifting his head, Jordan looked at her and his heart was in his eyes. With tender solemnity, he replied, "He saw something wonderful.”

  Jordan Townsende

• “At the tragic note in her voice, humor softened his features and his firm, sensual lips quirked in a derisive smile. "Poor little Catherine," he said dryly, reaching out and brushing his knuckles against her cheek. "What a miserable lot you women have. From the day you're born, anything you want is yours for the asking, and so you have nothing to work for—and even if you did, you'd never be permitted to work for it. We don't allow you to study and you're forbidden sports, so you cannot exercise your mind or your body. You don't even have honor to cling to, for although a man's honor is his for as long as he wishes, yours is between your legs, and you lose it to the first man who has you. How unjust life is to you!" he finished. "No wonder you're all so bored, amoral, and frivolous.”

  Jordan Addison Matthew Townsende

• “You needn't worry about your appearance, my dear, because true beauty springs from the heart and dwells in the eyes.”

  Mr. Gimble

• “What is it you think is going to happen?"Alexandra shivered deliciously. "Something wonderful.”

  Sara and Alex

• “You're a girl!""I can't help it!" Alexandra flung back, stung by the sharp accusation in his voice.The absurdity of their exchanged words struck them both at the same time: Jordan's black scowl gave way to a sudden grin and Alexandra started to laugh.”

  Jordan and Alex

• “Why do you always seem to be on the verge of laughing at me?" "For some unfathomable reason," he replied in an amused drawl, "I like you.”

  Alex and Jordan

• “"How are babies made?" Visibly startled, Jordan turned and opened his mouth, as if he intended to speak, but for some reason no words came out. At first Alexandra was puzzled by his involuntary silence, but then understanding dawned. She shook her head and sighed with sympathy for their mutual plight. "You don't know either, do you?" Jordan's sharp crack of laughter exploded like a pistol shot, and he threw his head back, laughing with uncontrollable mirth until he finally managed to drag enough air into his lungs to choke, "Yes, Alexandra… I do know." He had laughed more in the week he'd known her, Jordan realized, than he had laughed in an entire year.”

• “And remember this, my dear: Reformed rakes often make the best husbands.”

  Grandmama Townsende

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• London
• England
• Morsham
• Devon
• Madeira
• Rosemeade
• Spain
• Upper Brook Street
• Lindworthy

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Preceded by Once and Always, and followed by Almost Heaven.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Judith McNaught (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Add a note to help parents select a book for a child.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Romance › Authors, A-Z › ( M ) › McNaught, Judith
• Books › Romance › Historical › Regency
• Books › Romance › Regency
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary