Once and Always by Judith McNaught

Title: Once and Always
Author: Judith McNaught
ISBN: 0671737627
Publisher: Pocket Books/1987
Pages: 375

Once and Always is another historical romance I read. I seem to reading a lot of historcal romances. It is set in 1818.

Victoria Seaton, is suddenly orphaned and has to sail across the vast ocean to England to be with her distant cousin Charles Fielding, Duke of Atherton. She ends up marrying Lord Jason Fielding, Charles's illegitimate son. They do have a strong attraction for each other but Jason remains an enigma to Victoria. Bewildered by his arrogant demeanor, yet drawn to his panther-like grace, she comes to sense painful memories that smoulder in his jade-green eyes.

They come to like each other. Just when she thinks all is going to be well with them, she discovers treachery. Assuming she has been cheated, she runs away to her grandmama's place. She is presumed to be dead by all and Jason is devastated. Of course, it has a predictable ending. It was good dialogues. Character building leaves a bit to be desired.

A bit of a narration is about India. That shows it in a very poor light. Indians are mentioned as dirty, fanatic and do not seem care about physical abuse of another human being. I find that portion utterly offensive. She should have researched before writting something sweeping like that. This is one reason, I am not going to read any of her books again.