This is my first reread of this book in many years, and I still love it. It had a few issues, such as using the word "sexy," which didn't come into use until the 1890s. All of that aside, it was a fun book with likable characters and Garwood's trademark humor.
Alesandra was orphaned at the age of 12 and spent the next several years being raised by the nuns at a convent. Her high spirits and unique perspective made her life with the nuns very interesting. Alesandra's conversation with the mother superior when told she would stay with her guardian was a good preview of what would come. Matters become complicated when she arrives at the Duke's house to find that his family and his oldest son's are ill. She is sent to stay with the Duke's younger son, Colin.
Colin spends his days working to make his shipping business a success. He has a five-year plan that doesn't include marriage. That hasn't stopped his parents from pushing him to get married. When Alesandra shows up at his house, Colin is sure it is another setup by his father. He's unhappy that the need to protect her is real and that he is stuck with her. He's not entirely out of the woods, though, because she needs to be married quickly, and he is at the top of the list of recommended suitors.
The sparks between Colin and Alesandra are evident from the start. Each tries to ignore the attraction. But when Colin becomes ill, Alesandra nurses him back to health, and the attraction grows. When she is nearly abducted, the need for marriage becomes urgent. The Duke calls a meeting at his house, which includes the entire family, and they attempt to decide on an appropriate husband for her. One of the book's best parts is this scene, as Colin consistently finds something wrong with each suggestion while resisting the suggestion for him to step up. Everyone around Colin can see the truth that he refuses to admit - he cares for her. I laughed out loud at the outcome. I loved watching Colin continue to fall under Alesandra's spell after they married and got to know each other. They finally admitted their feelings for each other in a sweet and humorous way.
The book is filled with how Alesandra gets around some of Colin's stubbornness. She is frequently in cahoots with Colin's butler, Flannaghan, who is starstruck around "their princess." From her financial dealings through her "Uncle Albert" to colluding with Colin's doctor about his leg injury to her deception about the shares in his company, Alesandra finds a way to help without fighting him over it.
There is also a bit of intrigue as Alesandra worries about a missing friend. Her refusal to accept the consensus keeps her pushing for more information. I figured out the answer early in the book, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment. The final confrontation was intense.
Final book in the Regency Series, have loved them all.
Absolutely loved this book.
I LOVE THE HISTORICAL ROMANCE ONCE IN A WHILE AND THIS ONE IS A GREAT SERIES TO READ I LOVE THE CHARACTERS, SHE MAKES YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD WHEN YOU READ THESE BOOKS FUN TO READ AND A BIT OF DRAMA IN THE MIX
aawww....sweet. the knight in shining armor.
