Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Secret Fear



The Secret Fear by Barbara Cartland is the story of Arabella, who is sent to live in the house of the Marquis of Meridale and care for a child who lives there. The Marquis is off fighting the Napoleonic Wars and a local highwayman is using his house as a cover. When the marquis returns, he is intrigued with Arabella, but other issues interfere before they can fall in love!

Francis Marshall painted 2 very different covers for this story. The Jove (US) one shows our couple standing outside. Our heroine holds a rose and is wearing a white dress trimmed in blue. The hero is handsome in a typical Cartland way and holds her. Note the menacing highwayman in the background!

The Arrow (UK) cover is less menacing, but very pretty. Our heroine is lovely in a pink gown with a bonnet in her lap. Her hair is loose, which would be unusual. She sits in a phaeton with the hero and we see a groom standing on the back. The hero holds the reins loosely while he converses with the heroine. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Update: Reader Tracey J reminded me that there was an old hardcover of this title with a different cover which I believe is also another Francis Marshall and am adding it today! Thanks, Tracey!!

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