Elizabeth has been on a downward spiral of partying and
drinking that has come to a head. Between her late husband’s bad investments
and with a little help from careless spending, she is broke. Almost. With an
entire that relies upon her, she needs to get her act together and marry for
funds. Soon.
Lord Michael de Grey has been given an ultimatum by his
brother the Duke. Either settle down with a proper woman and beget heirs or lose
his personal funds and the funding for the charitable hospital he helped
create. Being under the control of his tyrant father while he was alive was one
thing. But being under the thumb of his brother was quite another. So, he
hides. Incognito. At least, until his brother can come to his senses. In
Elizabeth’s village.
They could not have been worse for each other if fate had
tried. Elizabeth does not need an impoverished country doctor (Mr. Grey) and
Michael doesn’t think a merry widow is what his brother deems as a proper
bride. Not that he was going to relent to getting married, but still.
I looooove when characters are drawn to each other but
outside forces conspire to keep them apart. It was heart breaking to see them
deny the love they found in each other. Both have people relying on them for
funds that the other cannot provide. For the greater good, they tried to stay
apart from each other.
I have to admit there was a tear jerker in there about 80%
into the book.
But I manned up and chugged through.
There were no surprises. The plot is similar to other
historical books. Still, Ms. Duran created a beautiful story. Elizabeth was
unapologetic of her “fun” ways and didn’t give a damn what anyone thought of
her. Michael was a complex character. He was a rake and a monk all in one hunky
body. And the way they tried to help each other out, to the detriment of their own happiness...
Solid 3.5 stars. Heat: Medium
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