So, today I finished a charming little romance I loaded onto my new Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology which I got for Christmas. This short piece, The Haunted Chamber A Novel by “Duchess” was one of the many volumes I downloaded into the device from the public domain books Amazon offers for free.

While the language and style of the story are dated enough to raise an occasional smile, the tale itself is quite enchanting, offering the reader a glimpse into the lives of the English gentry in days gone by. The action takes place at a house-party in an old castle after the end of the season in London. The lord of the manor is infatuated by one of his guests; she is in love with him; her cousin is in love with him; his cousin is in love with her…the typical entanglements of a nineteenth century romance. The expected misunderstandings and duplicity occur. It isn’t a new story, but it is a well-told one, if you can get past the present tense narration and predictability — which I found easily done.

I thought the story delightful, if predictable, and recommend it to the romantic at heart. After all, you can’t beat the price.