The Last Waltz
by Mary Balogh
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Gerard Percy, the new Earl of Wanstead, dreads returning home to Thornwood, where the widow of his predecessor lives with her two children. He has unhappy memories of Christina, the widowed countess. But it is Christmas, and he decides to take a houseful of guests with him to make his return easier. For her part, Christina feels an equal dread of seeing Gerard again, ten years after she renounced him in order to marry his strict, puritanical-but seemingly safe-cousin. She is horrified when show more she learns about the guests and the fact that Christmas this year is to be a bright and merry occasion, for her late husband would allow no frivolity of any kind in their life. And so they meet again, these two former lovers who have bitterly resented each other for ten years-but never forgotten each other. show lessTags
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As a young woman, Christina turned her back on the man she loved, Gerard, when his cousin convinced her that he was a rake and a gambler, like her father, and offered her a secure marriage. Gerard's heart was broken and he fled to the wilderness of Canada and made a new life for himself. Now he has unexpectedly inherited the estate that was owned by Christina's husband. As they hostilely and warily meet again and plan for a Christmas house party, Gerard discovers that Christina's husband humiliated and beat her, and twisted her mind to convince her that most entertainment and enjoyment was sinful and would corrupt people. Christina realizes that Gerard is not an irresponsible rake, and she finally reveals what her husband told her to show more get her to marry him; they were gross exaggerations and he only wanted to hurt Gerard, whom he hated. They find forgiveness and redemption of their love. show less
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Author Information
173+ Works 44,777 Members
Mary Balogh was born in Swansea, Wales on March 24, 1944. She received a B.A. with honors from the University of Wales in 1965. From 1967 to 1988, she taught high school English in Saskatchewan, Canada, becoming principal of the school in 1982. Her first novel, A Masked Deception, was published in 1985 and she won the Romantic Times Award for best show more new Regency writer. Since then, she has written more than 60 novels and has received a lifetime achievement award for her work in the genre of historical romance. Her works include The Wood Nymph, Christmas Promise, The Plumed Bonnet, Famous Heroine, A Matter of Class, No Man's Mistress, More than a Mistress, One Night for Love, and Only a Kiss. Her title's Someone to Hold and Someone to Care made The New York Times Bestseller List. (Bowker Author Biography) Mary Balogh grew up in Wales. She later came to Canada to teach & there she began a second career as an author. (Publisher Provided) show less
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Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Last Waltz
- Original publication date
- 1998-11
- People/Characters
- Gerard Percy, Earl of Wanstead; Christina, Lady Wanstead
- Important places
- England, UK
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 164
- Popularity
- 199,591
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.79)
- Languages
- English, French, Italian
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 2
