The wife everybody wants
Will choose the husband nobody expects!
Widowed duchess Isabelle Sherborne's wealth has made her
the talk of the ton -- but also the target of fortune hunters! So, when they
threaten to hold Isabelle to ransom by destroying her young sister's
reputation, Isabelle asks mercenary Joseph Carter for help. To save everything
that Isabelle holds dear, she must convince him to marry her. Yet whilst their
convenient vows will protect her, they could put her heart in danger…
Good book with an interesting premise - duchess marries
hardened mercenary. Both characters had heartbreaking pasts that influenced the
direction of their lives. Widowed Isabelle has inherited a great deal of wealth
from her late husband, making her the target of fortune hunters. When a
particularly desperate one threatens to destroy her younger sister's reputation
if Isabelle doesn't cooperate, she hires a mercenary to rescue her sister.
I liked Isabelle. She has a loving heart and is
intelligent, courageous, and stubborn. The deaths of her parents when she was
eighteen made her the guardian of her younger sister. But she was in a
desperate situation without a home and the funds to support them. A convenient
marriage to one of her father's best friends gave them the home they needed
until his death. Isabelle has no desire to marry again but knows she might have
to. I liked her determination to protect her sister and her courage to gain the
desired help.
Joseph's past was also heartbreaking. Abandoned at a
workhouse as an infant, he grew up feeling unloved and unwanted. Other boys
bullied him, and his lone attempt to run away resulted in a life-long hatred of
the upper classes. He has the reputation of being ruthless, cold, and
emotionless.
The initial meeting between Isabelle and Joseph doesn't
go well. Sensing her Society ties, Joseph is purposely as obnoxious and rude as
possible. Isabelle immediately regrets her plan and leaves. Though Joseph
doesn't want to admit it, something about her sticks with him, and he follows
her to ensure she is safe. After rescuing her from an attack, they reconsider
their options.
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Seeing
Joseph steamrollered by Isabelle's refusal to go along with his edicts was
amusing. I enjoyed watching her get under his skin. Though they are
antagonistic initially, under that antagonism are sparks of attraction neither
wants to admit. Joseph is convinced that he is unlovable and unworthy of any
kindness. Meanwhile, Isabelle sees the good in him that he refuses to acknowledge.
When it becomes evident that Isabelle needs to marry to protect herself and her
sister, she asks Joseph to marry her. He's stunned at the trust she shows him,
and an unexpected encounter with a fellow mercenary shows him the way forward.
I loved watching them grow closer after their marriage. Isabelle
brings out the good in Joseph, though he still believes he is unworthy of her. Trouble
at an event brings Joseph's fears and insecurities to the surface, and he pulls
away from the deepening relationship. I loved that Isabelle didn't just accept
his withdrawal. Her method of solving the problem was unexpected, and the
result was life-changing for him. The ending was sweet and emotional. I would
have liked an epilogue to follow up on what he learned.
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