He is now realizing that he must let go of life the way he knew it as he turns blind.

Josiah is a former rake and dandy who used to be full of pride and talent. What makes this book special are the wonderful characterizations. There is also some action from Josiah’s group of friends, The Jaded, who were imprisoned and escaped from India together with treasure. The rest of the book is about their developing relationship as the painting progresses. Practicality wins as she realizes her job prospects without a reference are bleak. Her morals and her immediate need for financial security clash with Josiah Hastings’ proposal.

When she is kicked out of her job for refusing a male “patron”, she is sure she will end up on the streets. Her father had wanted her to be a lady in every way, so she strives to be as respectable as possible in her life, her occupation and in her etiquette. Josiah then proposes a business arrangement to Eleanor – a large amount of money in exchange for her modeling for his painting.Įleanor Beckett was orphaned and, as a result, was reduced to poverty from riches. He realizes that the color she has so unexpectedly brought into his life must be captured in paints before his sight succumbs to shadows. He rescues her not only from the man, but also from her employer and landlady, and helps her find respectable living arrangements all in a day. He finds his muse in Eleanor Beckett as she is being forced into a man’s carriage on a street corner. Josiah Hastings is an artist needing inspiration to capture one last masterpiece before his eyesight fails him completely. My reservations fell away within the first couple of chapters to be replaced with warm fuzzies by the end of this well-written Victorian romance. When picking up this book, I was worried about being sucked into an emotionally draining plot with an almost blind hero and a penniless heroine.

Passion Wears Pearls by Renee Bernard