One good scandal deserves another...
Lady Alexandrina Lawson has never minded her widowhood. After the disaster that
was her first marriage, she found it rather enjoyable, despite the pity she
received. What the public saw as devoted mourning to a respected man was, in
fact, a complete disinterest in participating in anything Society could offer
her ever again. When an invitation to a cousin's London event proves disastrous
for Alexandrina, her reputation, and that of her child, her choice becomes
simple: rescue or ruin.
Enter Taft Debenham, Earl of Harwood.
Taft could not have less interest in Lady Lawson or her cold manner, but
neither could he stand by and let her suffer a forced marriage to a drunken
idiot. Sacrificing himself on the altar of Society, thinking how his own
reputation might benefit, he provides a rather clever solution: marry the woman
himself, and claim outrage for the offenses against her. Over the protests of
his bride, and those of his own sanity, Taft begins the greatest scheme he
could ever imagine. Nothing surprises him more than beginning to discover that
his wife has a heart beneath her icy exterior.
And that he would do almost anything to claim it.
My Thoughts:
What another delightful read from the pen of author Connolly. This one was a bit of a "shot gun" forced marriage, (by Taft himself) and a marriage of convenience all rolled up in one. Taft and his bride to be, Alexandrina, who I will refer to as Alex as he does, do not really like each other. Not so much in an enemy way, they just don't find the other appealing.
Taft is much too jovial and good-looking of a guy about town who has the most popular house party that everybody whose anybody wants an invite. He for the most part has an easier life than Alex, as he is a man, and a rich one at that.
Alex has already been married once, and her late husband has pretty much shattered any happily ever after's she thought she might have. His family, especially her mother-in-law has shattered Alex's peace of mind and taken something most precious to her. So, with much weighing on her shoulders, Alex comes off as an unhappy person. Not jovial and carefree. The sad truth is she is not. Her role as a widowed woman in society with her mother-in-law lording over her would make anyone unhappy. And poor Alex has not only had her heart broken but I think her spirit as well.
Enter one inconvenient night and Taft, acting as a hero, is now betrothed to Alex. Both tried every which way out of it, but nothing was going to work that would not destroy the rest of what Alex had. Taft was too much of a gentleman for that and so they marry.
What a marriage! Two seemingly opposites learning about one another and falling in love with each other, even with their differences that ended up complementing each other. Their wit was priceless, and the ending was superb. They really were a pair made in paradise.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
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