What began as a marriage of (in)convenience grew gradually and naturally into one of partnership, trust, and passion. It felt cohesive and realistic. I liked too that Max and Bianca were not aristocrats, though Max was in (distant) line to inherit a title which was a driving point in the plot. The family's ceramic business was original and interesting especially as ambitious Max planned to expand it by developing a new line of products for the average class, but the one element that threw me off was the cricket game scene, which may or may not have any historical truth. Did women play cricket with men in the late 1700s? The well-matched couple still faced other obstacles to overcome in the form of secrets and trust building, but the main appeal was the natural development of two people learning to like, appreciate, and fall in love with each other. Very enjoyable! 4 stars.

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