family first--duty vs love!
How to Marry a Marquess (Wedded by Scandal #3) by Stacy Reid
A young man, Lord Richard Maitland, deceived by his lover, withdraws emotionally and physically from society
A young man, Lord Richard Maitland, deceived by his lover, withdraws emotionally and physically from society
His one source of light becomes his best friend's sister Lady Evie Chesterfield whom he has had a series of interesting meetings with over the years, seemingly always in the garden, often involving advice as to how to ward off unwanted suitors.
For Evie, Richard becomes not only a friend but the man who holds her heart, but she can never let him know.
Years later, uncovering an awful truth Richard, now the Marquess of Westfall, outrages society by claiming his illegitimate daughter openly and adopting several desperate children. In fact, " it had become a scandal that Richard publicly supported reforms of the injustice meted out to women and children in Newgate Prison."
For Evie, Richard becomes not only a friend but the man who holds her heart, but she can never let him know.
Years later, uncovering an awful truth Richard, now the Marquess of Westfall, outrages society by claiming his illegitimate daughter openly and adopting several desperate children. In fact, " it had become a scandal that Richard publicly supported reforms of the injustice meted out to women and children in Newgate Prison."
It also is revealed that Evie's family's funds are at a standstill, so Evie must marry!
Always Evie has been on the sidelines. She has actively discouraged offers of marriage. Now she must marry, and it seems that someone will not be Richard. Richard has decided that he should marry. His daughter needs a mother. Evie is disgruntled that he hasn't even considered her. She takes things into her own hands with near disastrous results.
It seems Richard does not believe she has the strength of character to weather society's opinion. Shattered and stunned by Richards betrayal of her, his lack of trust, Evie is resigned to having nothing to do with him. Her fate will be to marry a man of sufficient wealth, who has the approval of her mother. Marrying for circumstances not love. Marry to fill the family coffers. Marriage as an economic transaction.
Always Evie has been on the sidelines. She has actively discouraged offers of marriage. Now she must marry, and it seems that someone will not be Richard. Richard has decided that he should marry. His daughter needs a mother. Evie is disgruntled that he hasn't even considered her. She takes things into her own hands with near disastrous results.
It seems Richard does not believe she has the strength of character to weather society's opinion. Shattered and stunned by Richards betrayal of her, his lack of trust, Evie is resigned to having nothing to do with him. Her fate will be to marry a man of sufficient wealth, who has the approval of her mother. Marrying for circumstances not love. Marry to fill the family coffers. Marriage as an economic transaction.
I must say that I liked the ending. That and various episodes throughout the story had me rethinking my three star rating to four.
A NetGalley ARC
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