Divorce in Victorian times

The Worst Woman in London: A Victorian Romance by Julia Bennet     

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When James Standish first met his best friend’s fiancée he knew the relationship wouldn’t work. He recognised the streak of individuality Thorne’s beloved displayed, especially her humor, her way of laughing. His friend, Edward Thorne was oblivious. He thought of Francesca Heller as everything a wife should be. Gracious, womanly, taking her rightful place at his side gladly. (If anything he was to be shocked by her sensual advances.)

Francesca wasn’t like that and two years later Thorne left Hertfordshire for London leaving his wife with his mother, whilst he cavorted his way through London, setting up a string of mistresses.

Now eight years later Fran has come to London, opened up her own house and is suing for divorce. Shock and horror! Society is both titillated and outraged. Thorne is beside himself with righteous anger (the swine!) Fran is cut by many in society including her beloved uncle and aunt, the Lytton’s, who’d raised her from a child when she’d been orphaned.

Thorne asks James to talk Fran out of divorcing him. Of course one thing leads to another and Fran and James are in lust with each other—at this stage love is in neither’s vocabulary. Them trying  to avoid detection by Thorne is fraught. It could cause problems with Fran securing a divorce. 

The settling of the matter takes a strange turn. Somewhat puzzling is Thorne’s standards about a woman should be seems later to turned on it’s head. 

An interesting comment on divorce in these times, the double standard of society with regard to the behavior of women and men, where women are often the unkindest critics of all.

I enjoyed the part when Fran met with Thorne’s mistress he’s been flaunting all over the place.

Maybe a bit too complex towards the end.

A Union Square-Sterling ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.