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Phadra Abbot is not a conventional woman. She is the daughter of the famous explorer Sir Julius Abbot, who has vanished. Phadra learns that her father’s banker has embezzled from the bank to fund Sir Julius’ most recent expedition. Since nothing has been heard from her father, something has to be done to repay the bank. Sir Cecil Evans calls Grant Morgan to the rescue.
Grant Morgan is not the typical stoop-shouldered, round-glasses wearing man. He’s tall, dark haired, with sterling grey eyes. But despite his handsome looks, he leaves Phadra cold. Grant is only focused on sparing the bank from disgrace. If Sir Cecil’s embezzlement comes to light, the bank will suffer. Therefore, he is named Phadra’s financial guardian.
Phadra is a woman who makes her own way in the world. She wears clothes she likes, and toe rings with bells on them. She is known in the artistic circles for her salons, but now that she’s been reduced to poverty, she is living with Sir Cecil Evan’s family, who agree to help her find a husband. She decides instead she wants to find her father, and in her own headstrong way, she convinces Grant to help her search.
The couple could not be more mismatched, or more perfect for each other. Grant needs a steady, sensible woman as a wife, not a flighty one. He agrees to marry Sir Cecil’s daughter, Lady Miranda Evans. The marriage will bring him the likelihood of directorship of the bank, something he would have to work years for, and might not achieve. The only problem is, he’s not attracted to Lady Miranda. He can’t keep his mind off Phadra. Resolving this romantic tangle is going to require a lot.
Cathy Maxwell’s story of Phadra and Grant is funny, touching, and engrossing. Phadra faces her problems head on, gaining Grant’s unexpected respect. Her characters are flawed people, dealing with life as it comes to them, growing in the process. I found myself rooting for them both, and I raced through the book because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. As with all Ms. Maxwell’s books, I highly recommend Treasured Vows.
Reviewed by Nancy Riggins-Hume
for The Road to Romance
February 21, 2005
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