Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Excellent second installment in the series. In the previous book, The Return of His Promised Duchess, Clara's friend Annabelle found happiness and a new life in England after fleeing the ravages of the US Civil War. At the end of that book, Annabelle and her husband ask Roger, Marquess of Clairmount, to find her friends Clara, Clara's daughter Abigail, and Suzanne and bring them to England. This book opens as they arrive in England.
Clara is in rough shape. She is grieving the death of her husband and the loss of their dreams and home. The ravages of their living conditions physically wear her down before they are found and swept away to safety in England. However, Clara's independent and stubborn nature is still strong, and she doesn't react well to what greets her on arrival. I wanted to shake her for being rude, but I also understood that she felt overwhelmed and out of her depth.
Roger was happy to help Annabelle and Drew while they were away. He planned to take Clara and the others to his country home, Clairmount, where they could stay while waiting, and he would return to London. But something about Clara drew him to her, and he wanted to spend more time with her.
The development of the relationship between Roger and Clara was interesting. Clara is so wrapped up in her grief for her husband that she isn't living her life. But once she is away from Virginia and the home of her grief, the outside world begins to break through the wall she's built around herself. Clara resists the feelings Roger's kindness and attention stir in her and feels guilty over what she sees as a betrayal of her husband's love. The more time she spends with him, the harder it is to deny her growing feelings for Roger. But she believes she doesn't belong in his aristocratic world and pushes him away.
Roger has spent most of his life firmly resisting the idea of ever getting married, the background of which is heartbreaking. But from the moment he met them, Clara and little Abigail made their way into his heart. The way he took care of Clara when she was ill and the thoughtfulness of his actions showed a different Roger than the one seen by the rest of the world. I loved the scenes with Abigail and her "Doger." His conversations with Drew as he adjusted to the changes in his views of love and marriage were fantastic. I ached for him as Clara pushed him away, and I loved how he continued to find ways to help her.
The ending was terrific. I loved seeing Clara finally break out of her prison of grief and realize that she could love again. Her big scene with Roger was emotional and very satisfying. I liked the epilogue and seeing the happiness that Roger and Clara have finally allowed themselves to experience.
I'm looking forward to reading Suzanne's story.
Clara is in rough shape. She is grieving the death of her husband and the loss of their dreams and home. The ravages of their living conditions physically wear her down before they are found and swept away to safety in England. However, Clara's independent and stubborn nature is still strong, and she doesn't react well to what greets her on arrival. I wanted to shake her for being rude, but I also understood that she felt overwhelmed and out of her depth.
Roger was happy to help Annabelle and Drew while they were away. He planned to take Clara and the others to his country home, Clairmount, where they could stay while waiting, and he would return to London. But something about Clara drew him to her, and he wanted to spend more time with her.
The development of the relationship between Roger and Clara was interesting. Clara is so wrapped up in her grief for her husband that she isn't living her life. But once she is away from Virginia and the home of her grief, the outside world begins to break through the wall she's built around herself. Clara resists the feelings Roger's kindness and attention stir in her and feels guilty over what she sees as a betrayal of her husband's love. The more time she spends with him, the harder it is to deny her growing feelings for Roger. But she believes she doesn't belong in his aristocratic world and pushes him away.
Roger has spent most of his life firmly resisting the idea of ever getting married, the background of which is heartbreaking. But from the moment he met them, Clara and little Abigail made their way into his heart. The way he took care of Clara when she was ill and the thoughtfulness of his actions showed a different Roger than the one seen by the rest of the world. I loved the scenes with Abigail and her "Doger." His conversations with Drew as he adjusted to the changes in his views of love and marriage were fantastic. I ached for him as Clara pushed him away, and I loved how he continued to find ways to help her.
The ending was terrific. I loved seeing Clara finally break out of her prison of grief and realize that she could love again. Her big scene with Roger was emotional and very satisfying. I liked the epilogue and seeing the happiness that Roger and Clara have finally allowed themselves to experience.
I'm looking forward to reading Suzanne's story.
