The Muse of Maiden Lane

September 13, 2024

At a house party in the country, Stella Hobhouse runs into Teddy Hayes, whom she spoke to at the British Museum, and agrees to sit for a sketch. Teddy was afraid he would never find his anonymous muse from the museum, so he is thrilled to finally meet Stella properly. Teddy discovers Stella is an untrained artist, so he keeps in touch with her by letter after the house party. The two meet again in London, and Teddy realizes a marriage of convenience would solve both of their woes. Teddy would have his muse to model for his paintings, and Stella would obtain a home, security, and free drawing lessons from Teddy. Neither will admit they are falling for the other. Stella's self-esteem has been eroded by her brother and the cruelty of high society during her first season, while Teddy is dealing with social stigma because of the paralysis in his legs. Only after finding the unconditional support they have been missing can Stella and Teddy chance reaching for the stars. VERDICT Series fans will be thrilled that the last of the four horsewomen finds her happily-ever-after. Characters from prior installments feature significantly, so readers should begin with The Siren of Sussex.--Eve Stano

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Starred review from November 15, 2024
A silver-haired equestrienne and a disabled artist navigate the expectations of Victorian society while falling in love. Stella Hobhouse is accustomed to standing out for all the wrong reasons, thanks to the gray hair she's had since she was 16. Now, at 22, she's beginning to wonder if she's destined for spinsterhood, since her love of horseback riding and independent nature haven't exactly made her a desirable marriage candidate. Trapped at a friend's house party over the holidays, Stella has resigned herself to being a wallflower--until she runs into a handsome stranger in a wheelchair. The thing is, Teddy Hayes isn't exactly a stranger. Stella met him once before, when their paths crossed at a museum in London, and the charming artist now makes her the same proposition he did then: He'd like to paint her. As far as Teddy is concerned, Stella is not only the most striking subject he's ever encountered, but the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. Convincing her to pose is an entirely selfish request, one that Stella initially meets with resistance. As an unmarried woman, it would hardly be appropriate for her to sit for Teddy, especially if it means they'll be alone. But Teddy isn't so easily deterred; he's adopted a new philosophy of life following the bout of scarlet fever that put him in a wheelchair, and he sees little reason not to pursue what he wants. As Stella navigates her increasing level of interest in Teddy while trying to avoid her clergyman brother's efforts to marry her off, and Teddy attempts to convince Stella that she's lovely enough to be his muse, they both realize they could be of use to each other--by way of a marriage of convenience. The fourth chapter in Matthews' Belles of London series is a charming conclusion, bringing back many fan-favorite characters from previous installments to support the main romance. The stakes may be high when Stella and Teddy are forced to consider marrying each other for mutual benefit, but the angst level isn't, and their journey to falling in love is as sweet as it is satisfying. An effortlessly elegant slow-burn romance.

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Starred review from September 2, 2024
Two high-society underdogs find an unlikely connection in Matthews’s effervescent fourth Belles of London Victorian romance (after The Lily of Ludgate Hill). Only 22 and already sporting a full head of gray hair, Stella Hobhouse is getting ready to conclude her second season. Though marriage would free her from living with her disrespectful brother and the judgment of his equally disdainful fiancée, Stella would much rather continue life as a spinster, indulging in her passions for riding her horse and dabbling in art. Following a bout with scarlet fever, Teddy Hayes, an artist and part owner of his family’s perfume company, uses a wheelchair and lives with his sister and her husband. When he sees Stella, and her striking silver hair, he becomes determined to paint her portrait, sparking first friendship, then unexpected love. Stella’s outspoken nature and Teddy’s tender honesty, together with their mutual disregard for societal norms, result in powerful chemistry. Full of both wit and heart, this is another winner from Matthews. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary.