Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book. Even though it is the fourth in the series, it works fine as a stand-alone, with enough backstory provided so that I wasn't lost. However, I will go back and read the earlier books because I want the whole story. In the previous book, the Duke of Everingham was left at the altar by Rose Rutherford when her first husband turned up alive. The duke is in no hurry to try again, except for the fact that he is now the quarry of every unmarried woman in London. He is appalled when his godmother suggests Georgiana Rutherford, the niece of his former fiancée. That is until a close encounter with her stirs his interest.
George has no interest in getting married and has made that clear to the men who have pursued her. She is determined to maintain her independence and live life on her own terms. George has an uphill battle in front of her as she tries to convince her great-aunt that she is serious, especially when it comes to the duke.
The duke, known to his friends as Hart, is wealthy and arrogant. When he wants something, he succeeds in getting it. His first real encounter with George is when he sees her riding her stallion and decides he must have it. I laughed out loud at his stunned disbelief at her refusal. In-person discussions aren't any more successful. However, it does succeed in arousing his interest, as she is the only female he's encountered who doesn't bore him to tears. With her stated interest in living in the country with her horses and dogs, she would be perfect for him. He ignores her comments about not wanting to marry anyone. In his experience, women always have hidden motives. He doesn't believe that she's not interested in him - he's a duke! And rich!
The development of the relationship between George and Hart is a tempestuous one. George doesn't like him at all at the beginning. She thought he was a cold fish when he was engaged to Rose. His superior attitude grates on her nerves, and George calls him out on it often. Hart wholeheartedly believes that she is playing games with him, pretending disinterest when she has every intention of accepting his suit. A spontaneous kiss shocks them both with the feelings it stirs up. Hart is disturbed by his loss of control but is sure that it is a temporary condition. George is just plain confused about why she forgets everything else when he kisses her. Her discussion with her Aunt Dottie about those feelings is a riot. Determined to have his way, Hart arranges a situation that compromises her, thus trapping her into marriage. George is rightfully furious and lets him know it. She's ready to stick to her guns until a third party gets involved.
Having given her word, George is ready to move ahead. I loved the part describing the marriage settlements and Hart getting a different view of her. There is also a fantastic scene where George points out Hart's hypocrisy in how he set her up. It was an eye-opening moment for him. I liked that he was man enough to accept the truth and apologize for his actions. He still had a bit of learning though, as it was George's reputation that suffered because of them. It took a comment from a friend for Hart to realize what George was going through, and he went all out to make up for it. George doesn't exactly sit back and suffer in silence either. Though done in a moment of temper and disgust, she makes a very bold decision regarding her wedding. Hart won me over entirely with his support and understanding at the ceremony, and with the stop they made between the wedding itself and the wedding breakfast.
After the wedding, Hart and George finally have some time to truly get to know each other. There is still some push and pull as Hart adjusts to George's way of doing things. There is a bit of trouble at the end involving Hart's ward, who is briefly mentioned at the beginning. I liked how George and Hart worked together and found a solution that worked for everyone. There was a brief misunderstanding at the end that could have sent their marriage down the wrong path. Fortunately, Hart was able to get past his pride and tell George how he felt. I loved seeing everyone together in the epilogue.
George has no interest in getting married and has made that clear to the men who have pursued her. She is determined to maintain her independence and live life on her own terms. George has an uphill battle in front of her as she tries to convince her great-aunt that she is serious, especially when it comes to the duke.
The duke, known to his friends as Hart, is wealthy and arrogant. When he wants something, he succeeds in getting it. His first real encounter with George is when he sees her riding her stallion and decides he must have it. I laughed out loud at his stunned disbelief at her refusal. In-person discussions aren't any more successful. However, it does succeed in arousing his interest, as she is the only female he's encountered who doesn't bore him to tears. With her stated interest in living in the country with her horses and dogs, she would be perfect for him. He ignores her comments about not wanting to marry anyone. In his experience, women always have hidden motives. He doesn't believe that she's not interested in him - he's a duke! And rich!
The development of the relationship between George and Hart is a tempestuous one. George doesn't like him at all at the beginning. She thought he was a cold fish when he was engaged to Rose. His superior attitude grates on her nerves, and George calls him out on it often. Hart wholeheartedly believes that she is playing games with him, pretending disinterest when she has every intention of accepting his suit. A spontaneous kiss shocks them both with the feelings it stirs up. Hart is disturbed by his loss of control but is sure that it is a temporary condition. George is just plain confused about why she forgets everything else when he kisses her. Her discussion with her Aunt Dottie about those feelings is a riot. Determined to have his way, Hart arranges a situation that compromises her, thus trapping her into marriage. George is rightfully furious and lets him know it. She's ready to stick to her guns until a third party gets involved.
Having given her word, George is ready to move ahead. I loved the part describing the marriage settlements and Hart getting a different view of her. There is also a fantastic scene where George points out Hart's hypocrisy in how he set her up. It was an eye-opening moment for him. I liked that he was man enough to accept the truth and apologize for his actions. He still had a bit of learning though, as it was George's reputation that suffered because of them. It took a comment from a friend for Hart to realize what George was going through, and he went all out to make up for it. George doesn't exactly sit back and suffer in silence either. Though done in a moment of temper and disgust, she makes a very bold decision regarding her wedding. Hart won me over entirely with his support and understanding at the ceremony, and with the stop they made between the wedding itself and the wedding breakfast.
After the wedding, Hart and George finally have some time to truly get to know each other. There is still some push and pull as Hart adjusts to George's way of doing things. There is a bit of trouble at the end involving Hart's ward, who is briefly mentioned at the beginning. I liked how George and Hart worked together and found a solution that worked for everyone. There was a brief misunderstanding at the end that could have sent their marriage down the wrong path. Fortunately, Hart was able to get past his pride and tell George how he felt. I loved seeing everyone together in the epilogue.
