Patricia, the Beautiful

Patricia, the Beautiful by Katheryn Kimbrough
published by Popular Library
Copyright 1975

Saga of the Phenwick Women
PATRICIA,
THE BEAUTIFUL

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived -
THE SAGO OF THE PHENWICK WOMEN.
You won't want to miss the others,
exclusively in Popular Library editions.

Stunningly beautiful and aristocratic Patricia Kel-
burn was transported worlds away from the lush
Southern plantation where she had been raised. For
reason unclear to her, she was sent to the very
private girls' finishing school of La Chenilla in far-
away Boston to be prepared for her future.

Soon Patricia began to realized she was not a pupil
but a prisoner in this strange establishment ruled
by a lady with a dubious past, and filled with shock-
ing intrigue and chilling danger. But worse was yet
to come. For it was in a yet more distant and lonely
place - the great and fearful mansion of the Phen-
wicks - that Patricia came face to face with the
diabolical destiny designed for her, and with the
powerful and perverse man who would not let her
escape ...

Firstly, I would guess that the weird dude on the cover must be the powerful and perverse man we hear so little about on the back. Secondly, the strange cloak he is wearing makes me think he is either a flasher or has a permanent "Mr. Sardonicus" smile which he needs to cover. Of course the mention of him being "perverse" makes me think we are on the right track with the whole "flasher" thing. Thirdly, the fact that he is able to point his feet in two completely different directions leads me to believe he has hip damage or is a circus performer. Being that he is also described as powerful, would lead me to believe his is perhaps the Ringmaster of the circus. The hat merely lets us know he has bad taste in hats, again pointing to the whole Ringmaster thing.

So, being the prisoner of a double jointed Ringmaster flasher is the diabolical destiny of a poor heroine? Who would have guessed.