Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific story of an American Southern belle and an English duke who discover they have more in common than either would have believed.
The story opens as Virginian Annabelle is put on a ship bound for England and her maternal grandfather by her stepfather, who wants to keep her safe from the US Civil War. She is furious and determined to return as soon as she can. During the voyage, she reads her mother's diary and discovers that she is not the daughter of a merchant and that her father was a duke. The things she reads reinforce her determination never to marry a nobleman. It comes as a shock when she arrives in England and finds out that she was betrothed to the Duke of Mansfield as a child. Her grandfather is a terrible man who plans to prove that Annabelle is a fraud to keep control of her inheritance. He immediately sends her to Mansfield to keep anyone from knowing she is there.
Andrew, Duke of Mansfield, has known of the betrothal for years. But since his fiancée has been missing for twenty years, he doesn't expect her to return. As a committed bachelor, he has no desire to marry. He's shocked when he finds out she is on her way to England, especially when she shows up on his doorstep.
I enjoyed the first meeting between Drew and Annabelle. It was an impromptu meeting as he found her hiding in the stable. I liked their conversation and seeing Drew utterly charmed by Annabelle. They continued their conversation over breakfast. Drew found Annabelle's honesty refreshing, if a bit naïve, as she explained her intention to return to America. I liked their discussion of why he doesn't want to marry her and their mutual relief that they are on the same page. Unfortunately for Drew, he is sure she is Lady Annabelle, and they will therefore be required to marry.
I liked watching the relationship develop between Drew and Annabelle. Because they share the reluctance to marry, it is easier for them to be themselves around each other. Annabelle is honest about her dislike of the British peerage system and how they treat those they see as beneath them. She is pleasantly surprised to find that Drew agrees with her and makes the welfare of his workers one of his top priorities. Drew is impressed by Annabelle's kindness to everyone, especially how she jumps in to help when Gunnar's wife is in labor. It isn't long before each realizes their feelings are growing, but neither wants to admit it.
I liked seeing Drew, Annabelle, and Drew's friend Roger conspire to foil her grandfather's intentions. Hosting a house party at Mansfield enables society members to get to know Miss Annabelle Smith without giving away her connection to the earl. It does, however, pave the way for when her true identity is revealed, making it harder for him to declare her a fraud. Her grandfather isn't going to take the potential loss of income easily and sets up an "accident" that puts Drew's life in danger. I loved seeing Annabelle take control of the situation as only she could and bring the perfect resolution. All that remained was for her and Drew to finally admit their feelings for each other and plan their future together.
There were some tense moments when Annabelle received word that her hometown had been burned and her stepfather was missing. I loved Drew's determination to help her discover what happened to him. I loved the ending and seeing how everything turned out.
I liked Drew's friend Roger and would love to see him get his own story. He needs shaking up.
The story opens as Virginian Annabelle is put on a ship bound for England and her maternal grandfather by her stepfather, who wants to keep her safe from the US Civil War. She is furious and determined to return as soon as she can. During the voyage, she reads her mother's diary and discovers that she is not the daughter of a merchant and that her father was a duke. The things she reads reinforce her determination never to marry a nobleman. It comes as a shock when she arrives in England and finds out that she was betrothed to the Duke of Mansfield as a child. Her grandfather is a terrible man who plans to prove that Annabelle is a fraud to keep control of her inheritance. He immediately sends her to Mansfield to keep anyone from knowing she is there.
Andrew, Duke of Mansfield, has known of the betrothal for years. But since his fiancée has been missing for twenty years, he doesn't expect her to return. As a committed bachelor, he has no desire to marry. He's shocked when he finds out she is on her way to England, especially when she shows up on his doorstep.
I enjoyed the first meeting between Drew and Annabelle. It was an impromptu meeting as he found her hiding in the stable. I liked their conversation and seeing Drew utterly charmed by Annabelle. They continued their conversation over breakfast. Drew found Annabelle's honesty refreshing, if a bit naïve, as she explained her intention to return to America. I liked their discussion of why he doesn't want to marry her and their mutual relief that they are on the same page. Unfortunately for Drew, he is sure she is Lady Annabelle, and they will therefore be required to marry.
I liked watching the relationship develop between Drew and Annabelle. Because they share the reluctance to marry, it is easier for them to be themselves around each other. Annabelle is honest about her dislike of the British peerage system and how they treat those they see as beneath them. She is pleasantly surprised to find that Drew agrees with her and makes the welfare of his workers one of his top priorities. Drew is impressed by Annabelle's kindness to everyone, especially how she jumps in to help when Gunnar's wife is in labor. It isn't long before each realizes their feelings are growing, but neither wants to admit it.
I liked seeing Drew, Annabelle, and Drew's friend Roger conspire to foil her grandfather's intentions. Hosting a house party at Mansfield enables society members to get to know Miss Annabelle Smith without giving away her connection to the earl. It does, however, pave the way for when her true identity is revealed, making it harder for him to declare her a fraud. Her grandfather isn't going to take the potential loss of income easily and sets up an "accident" that puts Drew's life in danger. I loved seeing Annabelle take control of the situation as only she could and bring the perfect resolution. All that remained was for her and Drew to finally admit their feelings for each other and plan their future together.
There were some tense moments when Annabelle received word that her hometown had been burned and her stepfather was missing. I loved Drew's determination to help her discover what happened to him. I loved the ending and seeing how everything turned out.
I liked Drew's friend Roger and would love to see him get his own story. He needs shaking up.
