Series:
Lyon's Den (Book 68)
They are both hiding the darkest of secrets. But will
saving one be the destruction of the other?
Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, owner of the renowned Lyon’s Den,
knows how to match unmarriageable women with the perfect mate. But even she may
not be able to help a woman too determined to walk her own path, failures and
all.
After Lady Mary Caudale faced ruin and humiliation
because of a mistake, she knew her chances of a debut season had vanished. Then
her brother, the Duke of Kirkstone, and his new wife Beth came up with a daring
plan to salvage Mary’s future. But as the family returns to London, they
discover that Mary’s “secret” is not so secret, with the news working its way
through the ton. So Mary and her brother turn to the owner of the Lyon’s Den,
Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon herself, to find Mary a husband before her reputation is
destroyed beyond repair.
Enter Lord Thaddeus Ephraim Bolton, second son, Earl of
Crookham, a man with an unfortunate gambling habit who owes Mrs. Dove-Lyon a
great deal of money. But Thad, in the way of such gentlemen, has a number of
dark secrets of his own. Secrets that will screech into the light if he agrees
to the Lyon’s demand that he marry this odd but lovely woman from the north.
But as Mary and Thad risk giving each other a chance,
Thad realizes this secretive beauty may just be the very person he has been
waiting a lifetime to find.
Very good book. Both main characters are likable and
realistic, with believable faults and insecurities. Once again, Mrs. Dove-Lyon
arranges an excellent match.
Two years earlier, Lady Mary made a mistake that had
lasting consequences. Her brother, Kit, Duke of Kirkstone, and his wife Beth helped
cover up the scandal, but when Mary went to London for her Season, rumors
followed. Society shuns her, making it impossible for her to find a husband. With
Kit and Beth about to leave for India, Kit and Mary appeal to Mrs. Dove-Lyon
for help finding her a husband.
Thad is the younger son of the Earl of Crookham. As the "spare,"
he was mostly ignored by his family. He and his father disagreed on his future
plans, and the woman he loved married someone else. With no direction, Thad
spends his time gambling badly and accumulates more and more debt. Some he owes
to a shady character, and some to the Lyon's Den. When Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers to
pay his debts if he marries Mary, Thad agrees. He is instantly attracted to her
but also wary of the secrets that forced her to take this route.
I liked Mary and Thad and enjoyed following the
development of their relationship. I liked how Thad insisted that they take two
weeks to "court," giving them a chance to know each other and him a
chance to uncover her secrets. One of the things I liked best about Mary is
that she stands up for herself despite her family's attempts to mold her into
their version of "ladylike." Thad appreciates her fire. I loved his
surprise at her vocabulary and how her obvious intelligence made her more
appealing to him. I liked his protectiveness, also. There were a couple of terrific
scenes in which he faced down a particularly vicious gossiper in her defense. He
won my heart with his reaction to her secret.
Thad has a few secrets/issues himself. One was surprising,
considering his age and the era in which he lives, but it doesn't seem to have
been a problem in the end. However, he is badly injured when one of his
mistakes catches up with him. I hurt for him because of his family's reaction
and loved how Mrs. Dove-Lyon, Mary, and her family stepped in and made him feel
as though he was part of a family.
I loved that Mary and Thad were open and honest with each
other about their pasts, feeling that a genuine relationship must be based on
trust. I liked the epilogue and seeing how they are doing a few months later. I
have great hopes that Thad has finally found something better than gambling to occupy
his time.
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