“Web of Love” by Mary Balogh

“Web of Love” by Mary Balogh
2007, Dell
ISBN: 978-0-440-24305-2

“Web of Love” by Mary Balogh. I liked it. It did take me awhile to get into the story, but once I was there it just clicked right along.

This story takes place in 1815 just prior to and after the Battle of Waterloo. Emma is married to Charlie. Charlie is a British officer. Theirs is a happy and loving marriage. They’ve welcomed into their circle of friendship Lord Eden a fellow soldier.

There are tentative sparks between Emma and Lord Eden, or Dominique as he is called, but neither will act upon them and don’t think much of them anyway. Emma and Charlie are fast in love.

But, the Battle of Waterloo happens and Charlie is killed. Lord Eden is mortally wounded and can only think in his delirium to be taken to Emma. He rasps out the news that Charlie is dead to Emma. Then, he collapses. She nurses him back to health and while she sits beside him day in and day out nursing him back to health something begins to happen. As he is returned to health he reaches out to her and wooowee we got liftoff.

It only lasts a week and then Emma somehow really realizes that her husband has died, that she’s just gotten a lover and that’s when her conscious comes back to full activity.

She makes him go away. And, she goes her separate way. But, there are repercussions and what’s particularly interesting with this story is the idea that a person can love more than one person in their lifetime, can hold onto that love and love another at the same time. It’s a mature sort of understanding of love that you don’t see that often in stories. And, of course, it does have a happy ending.

I really enjoyed this book. I will surely read another of Mary Balogh’s books the next time I get my hands on one.