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Miss Eliza Merriweather and Lord Magnus MacKinnon live in a world where position and money dictates who you must marry. Eliza’s well-meaning elderly aunts, are following a book found in their father’s library Rules of Engagement, certain the book will give their nieces, Eliza and Grace, something they didn’t have – a successful Season in London. Only Eliza is aware that this book is one of military stratagem, but she doesn’t have the heart to burst her aunts’ bubbles, nor hinder Grace’s desperate search for a husband.
Eliza isn’t looking to marry. She’s a very talented artist, and is determined that if she stays unattached, she can take her inheritance and move to Italy after the Season to pursue her ability. When she meets Magnus MacKinnon, Lord Somerton, an earl new to his title, they strike upon a agreement that could work for both of them. Magnus agrees to shower Eliza with attention, in order to dissuade her aunts’ matchmaking efforts, if Eliza will find him a marriageable bride, one whose purse could save Somerton, as his brother left him with enough debts to ruin him forever. Eliza also agrees to paint Magnus’s portrait, which will give them a lot of time together. Eliza doesn’t catch on that Magnus is quite fond of her and knows he will revel in their time together. In the meantime, Magnus has taken a gamble that might save his estate, and thereby negate the need to marry a rich woman. This is a fact Magnus keeps from Eliza.
The question remains: will the ruse remain a ruse, or will feelings interfere with a perfectly logical arrangement? Also, there is the question of the aunts’ matchmaking schemes. Now that Eliza and Magnus seem like such a fine match, will the aunts’ step up, or back down? Then there is Grace, a woman who wants to marry, and is eating up every scheme her aunts put together.
From beginning to end, Eliza’s loyalty leads her to want to protect Magnus’s future. No matter how much her heart has become engaged, her genuine concern for his livelihood takes precedence. Magnus shows a similar fortitude, albeit a little more forcefully, especially when it comes to trying to make Eliza realize her heart. With an endearing cast of characters, delightful humor, an enjoyable amount of sensuality, and the strong bonds of love, this is a story that will long be remembered.
This thoroughly enjoyable tale, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, is the surprising first novel of author Kathryn Caskie. When you read this book, one you just may find impossible to put down, you will be delighted and impressed by the author’s first published work. To further prove its worth, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is the winner of the Romance Writers of American’s prestigious Golden Heart award. I was quite amused to discover that Ms. Caskie is a newcomer after I finished the book. It is written so well that I was shocked, but very pleased, at the stellar quality of her work.
Reviewed by Robin Taylor
for The Road to Romance
August 27, 2004
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