This is a brilliant book. Edward, having contracted mumps as an adult, believes himself to be infertile. When he discovers a son born out of wedlock, he is willing to move mountains to get him legitimized without revealing his shameful secret, but the boy's mother is dead. Edward forces Eliza, who happened to have been in the right place at the right time, to marry him. Edward often acts in a very unattractive way, but Kingsley does a wonderful job of revealing the history which has forced him into such a ruthless mold. Eliza's pretense of being half-witted in order to punish Edward is delightfully witty, and the real attachment she forms with her stepson is charming. Eliza's falling in love with Edward is very believable despite his initial ruthlessness toward her, as she sees parts of him that he prefers to keep hidden from the world and understands how wounded he is.

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