Rereading the ebook edition

The Forbidden Love of an Officer (Marlowe Family Secrets #7) by Jane Lark            

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I knew this was familiar. It’s the ebook edition of The Lost Love of a Soldier, 2014, featuring Lady Eleanor Pembroke, daughter of the Duke of Pembroke and Captain Paul Harding. Ellen marries Paul against her father’s wishes, is cut off from her family, and follows the drum with her husband.

Turning to the story though, I was at first annoyed by Ellen. She’s at Ghent before and after Waterloo. She’s seen horrific things and faced up to helping the wounded under dreadful conditions. I know she’s pregnant, tired and desolate. 

Ellen ignores her feelings about her dead husband’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Hillier. When he offers to help her she thinks he’s being nice when he offers to take care of her. In many ways she’s just so innocent and naive. Hillier’s not a good man and Ellen finds herself trapped, in his power.

Given the times and her physical and mental health maybe I just have to accept that all her initial determination and bravery has taken a beating.

It only after I read Illicit Love of a Courtesan that I truly felt empathy with Ellen.

This title is a precursor to this latter book and needs to be seen in relation to that.

A Boldwood invite ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.