“I am not drawn to historical romance as a general rule, but a friend passed me this provocative love story. When The Romany stop on the grounds of the de warren estate, Ariella sees Vicount Emilian St. Xavier, half gypsy, in the camp and mistakes him for the leader of the group. She is unaware of his ownership of a nearby estate. She falls instantly in love. Ariella is a true bluestocking, enjoying the political and intellectual arena in London with her father's approval. They are an unusual, and tolerant upper class family, who are appauled by the bigotry and violence that erupts from the mere presense of the band. Thegypsies are there to inform Emilian that his mother was stoned by a mob in Edinburgh. She had sent him to live with his father when he was ten. Now all he think of is his guilt and the need for revenge. Ariella pursues him, and though they begin an affair, he constantly reminds her that he is only in it for the pleasure.
This book is a well-told story of the racism that exists for unknown or hated cultures and peoples. Ariella's mother was a Jew, and she is passionate about her defense of all people. She is determined to win St. Xavier's love and friendship. While she studies different cultures and believes she knows their experience, it is not until she travels with the band and experiences for herself the fear and violence that she truly understands their plight. A very good read.”