I recently finished reading The Miller's Dance, which is book 9 in the Poldark saga. This book, like The Stranger From the Sea, focuses primarily on Jeremy and Clowance however there are some delightful conversations between Ross and Demelza to keep the RoMelza fans happy. Oh, tell me I didn't just do that melding names thing...... LOL.
Ross and Demelza are getting along well, still loving and making love like youngsters, though by now they are middle-aged. Jeremy is still in love with Cuby (do you think that is pronounced 'cubby'? - it kinda drives me crazy that I don't know he correct pronunciation.) Cuby however rejects him because she needs to marry well to save her family home. Clowance is still very much smitten with Stephen, which had me a little worried since I don't like him and don't trust him. He's not really bad to Clowance, but he is definitely a self-serving kinda guy who doesn't deserve her love, IMHO. He is quick to lie or withhold the truth when it serves his purposed. She can clearly do better!
George marries Lady Harriet who turns out to be a bit of a thorn in his side (ha ha!) She's the polar opposite of Elizabeth, and is somewhat vulgar in spite of her hoity-toity background. She brings dogs into his life and he really doesn't like them one bit. However, young Ursula does.
We learn a little more about Valentine. He's a party boy and seems to have little interest in learning the banking business. He doesn't get along with his father all that well. He strikes me as a little bit creepy but I'm interested to see how he evolves and hope we see that in the last three books.
Ross felt it was time to leave Parliament but Demelza is not sure he will be happy doing that. He waffles back and forth about it until he decides yes he will go back - but not right away because ... Surprise! Demelza is pregnant... things don't go so well for her this time, most likely due to her age, but she gives birth to a son, which delights her and Ross too. He was even more delighted that both mother and son survived. He was truly worried about it, especially after Elizabeth's unfortunate end.
Clowance finally gets a clue about Stephen and begins to realize that perhaps love is not enough - a maturing moment for her. She breaks off her engagement to him. Meanwhile, Ben Carter is hopelessly in love with her and I couldn't help but hope that Clowance sees a good man in him and turns to him for comfort.
The vile and horrible George Warleggan arranges a marriage between Cuby and Valentine. Naturally Jeremy is heart broken. The most dramatic part of the story comes when Jeremy, with the help of sly Stephen and their mutual friend, Paul plot to steal money from the Warleggon bank that they know will be carried by coach. This was hard to read. I felt it was SO out of character for Jeremy and while it seems they get away with it, I have a feeling it will come back to haunt him. It is a serious crime and he knows it.
I'm looking forward to reading The Loving Cup, which is waiting for me to pick up at the library. I'm hoping I'll see some resolution to the rocky romances and dastardly adventures in The Miller's Dance.
