Bartered bride!
The Reluctant Duchess (The Brides of St Ives #4) by Jane Goodger
I must admit this Beauty and the Beast stimulated story left me cold. I struggled to finish it.
Oliver Sterling, eleventh duke of Kendal, lives locked away in his overpowering mansion, Horncliffe Manor.
Having seen a painting of a beautiful young woman, Oliver decides he must have her as his wife at any cost. Little did he know his guardian Mr. Winters will follow that instruction to the letter.
Rebecca Kane has been used as a gambling token by her father. He lost and now Rebecca is the payment that will save her family from poverty. Of course Rebecca agrees. What else can she do? Oh, BTW the marriage was 'by proxy.'
How Rebecca can forgive her father is totally beyond me. Oh well, the role of the victim sits somewhere here I suppose. But wait, is this the same young woman who posed for an artist" Surely not de rigueur for a female of her standing as a gentlewoman. It seems Rebecca the victim has the wherewithal to transition to Rebecca the fearless.
Rebecca finds her new abode dark and oppressive, her husband even more so, particularly as she can never see him in any light. So she comes to know him by his personality and by his touch rather than his looks. The rest of that you can guess.
Of course there are further mysteries and the loathsome Mr. Winters appears firmly embedded in them.
Sounds like a great storyline but really I was put off by the whole bartered bride and touchy feely consummation in the dark aspect.
A NetGalley ARC
**
Oliver Sterling, eleventh duke of Kendal, lives locked away in his overpowering mansion, Horncliffe Manor.
Having seen a painting of a beautiful young woman, Oliver decides he must have her as his wife at any cost. Little did he know his guardian Mr. Winters will follow that instruction to the letter.
Rebecca Kane has been used as a gambling token by her father. He lost and now Rebecca is the payment that will save her family from poverty. Of course Rebecca agrees. What else can she do? Oh, BTW the marriage was 'by proxy.'
How Rebecca can forgive her father is totally beyond me. Oh well, the role of the victim sits somewhere here I suppose. But wait, is this the same young woman who posed for an artist" Surely not de rigueur for a female of her standing as a gentlewoman. It seems Rebecca the victim has the wherewithal to transition to Rebecca the fearless.
Rebecca finds her new abode dark and oppressive, her husband even more so, particularly as she can never see him in any light. So she comes to know him by his personality and by his touch rather than his looks. The rest of that you can guess.
Of course there are further mysteries and the loathsome Mr. Winters appears firmly embedded in them.
Sounds like a great storyline but really I was put off by the whole bartered bride and touchy feely consummation in the dark aspect.
A NetGalley ARC
**
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