|
Catherine Ashfield, Vicountess Bickley is a widow with a sizeable fortune. She is perceived as a great matrimonial prize by the unmarried men of the ton.
A number of gentlemen are pursuing her, but she hasn't shown a preference for any of them. In addition, she has been instrumental in the publication of a scandalous handbook, A Lady's Guide to the Pursuit of Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment, by Charles Brightmore. The married men of the ton are outraged and want the author found so they can tar and feather him.
Andrew Stanton is an untitled gentleman who is starting a museum with Catherine's brother, Phillip Ravensly. He has been in love with Catherine for years, and now that her period of mourning is over, he intends to court her. However, there are several other men with the same idea, including a Duke.
Catherine overhears the married gentlemen planning to hire a private detective to find Charles Brightmore. After being shot during a ball, she decides discretion is the better part of valor and retires to her country estate, even though the Season is in full swing.
Andrew is the man chosen to find Brightmore. The sum being offered for
revealing his true identity would go a long way toward funding the
museum. He wants to be close to Catherine and uses the shooting as an
excuse to stay with her at her estate. But
Catherine's suitors have decided to have a house party near her estate to continue courting her. Andrew becomes frustrated and warns the others off. Catherine has to decide if Andrew can be trusted not to turn on her if they marry, and she fears that he is only pursuing her for her fortune, not for herself. Andrew would welcome the financial ease, but it is Catherine he wants.
I enjoyed this novel on several levels. The danger, the fears of both Catherine and Andrew that they weren't loveable, and the interaction between them were well written. I read this novel in one sitting, and will look forward to reading more of Ms. D'Alessandro's work in the future.
Reviewed by Nancy Riggins-Hume
for The Road to Romance
December 7, 2004
|
