Ten years after publishing THE WOULD-BE WIDOW, the author, Mary Jo Putney reworked the novel and re-titled it THE BARGAIN. The idea of a hero/heroine marrying in order to save an inheritance is not a new plot line. However, Putney writes so well that she has made the story feel fresh.
According to the terms of her father's will, Lady Jocelyn Kendal needs a husband in order to inherit. She meets a dying officer, gravely wounded in the Battle of Waterloo. He worries about leaving his sister penniless and alone.
Jocelyn offers to trade a generous annual income for his sister in return for the major's name in a marriage of convenience. What could be the harm; he was dying anyway? They agree and a minister performs the wedding.
Fate then takes a hand in the lives of these 2 people. David's sister, Sally, refuses to let him die without trying any and all options. She learns of an unorthodox Scottish surgeon, Dr. Ian Kinlock, and begs him to intervene.
After David's surgery and weaning him from opiates (that made his symptoms more severe), David begins to recover. Although Jocelyn is delighted with his recuperation, she has a problem; she has a husband that she doesn't want.
They discuss the problem and decide for Jocelyn to pursue an annulment based on David's impotence (real or imagined). However, they have to live under the same roof for a number of months.
What Jocelyn doesn't know about her husband is that he was an accomplished war campaigner; he doesn't give up easily. David realizes he loves Jocelyn and wants to stay married to her. He begins his subtle campaign to win his wife.
Actually, there are two romances in this book: (1) wealthy Jocelyn and penniless David; and (2) wealthy Dr. Kinlock and David's sister, Sally, who earns her keep as a governess.
The real reason that Jocelyn doesn't want a husband comes to light over the course of the book. It surprises Jocelyn and she starts to rethink her choices.
The book is enjoyable because it calls on all four of the main characters to move out of their comfort zone to help others without thought of compensation. This is my first book by Putney and I look forward to others!
According to the terms of her father's will, Lady Jocelyn Kendal needs a husband in order to inherit. She meets a dying officer, gravely wounded in the Battle of Waterloo. He worries about leaving his sister penniless and alone.
Jocelyn offers to trade a generous annual income for his sister in return for the major's name in a marriage of convenience. What could be the harm; he was dying anyway? They agree and a minister performs the wedding.
Fate then takes a hand in the lives of these 2 people. David's sister, Sally, refuses to let him die without trying any and all options. She learns of an unorthodox Scottish surgeon, Dr. Ian Kinlock, and begs him to intervene.
After David's surgery and weaning him from opiates (that made his symptoms more severe), David begins to recover. Although Jocelyn is delighted with his recuperation, she has a problem; she has a husband that she doesn't want.
They discuss the problem and decide for Jocelyn to pursue an annulment based on David's impotence (real or imagined). However, they have to live under the same roof for a number of months.
What Jocelyn doesn't know about her husband is that he was an accomplished war campaigner; he doesn't give up easily. David realizes he loves Jocelyn and wants to stay married to her. He begins his subtle campaign to win his wife.
Actually, there are two romances in this book: (1) wealthy Jocelyn and penniless David; and (2) wealthy Dr. Kinlock and David's sister, Sally, who earns her keep as a governess.
The real reason that Jocelyn doesn't want a husband comes to light over the course of the book. It surprises Jocelyn and she starts to rethink her choices.
The book is enjoyable because it calls on all four of the main characters to move out of their comfort zone to help others without thought of compensation. This is my first book by Putney and I look forward to others!
