Series:
Least Likely to Wed (Book 1)
Her lessons in flirtation…
Could work too well!
When Lady Laura Pomeroy offers to give her friend lessons
on surviving the Season, she doesn't expect her friend's brother to join!
Banker Miles Rochdale is dubious of the aristocracy and clearly thinks Laura is
shallow and silly. Frustratingly, mathematical genius Laura finds herself
attracted to him and enjoys challenging his assumptions. But, as a marquess's daughter,
there's no point impressing Miles because she'll never be allowed to marry
someone in the trade…
Good book about the perils and hypocrisy that face those
who find love outside their approved social class. Lady Laura didn't grow up as
nobility, but when her father unexpectedly became a marquess, she learned to
navigate the ton. Laura has no interest in marriage at this time. She prefers
to care for her ailing father and spend time indulging her love of mathematics and
numbers. A husband would only get in the way of those pastimes.
When Laura meets the shy banker's heiress, Susanna
Rochdale, she offers to teach her how to deal with the less pleasant members
she's sure to encounter. Susanna is a sweet young lady and feels overwhelmed by
the idea of facing Society. She and Laura quickly become friends, and Laura's
lessons give Susanna the confidence she needs. I loved Laura's down-to-earth
and practical advice. The only fly in the ointment is Susanna's brother, Miles.
Miles has a very poor opinion of the aristocracy thanks
to a failed romantic relationship several years earlier and the attitudes of
those he encounters at his bank. He is suspicious of Laura's intentions and attends
many of Susanna's lessons, determined to stop them if he sees anything he
doesn't like. It doesn't take long to realize that Laura is a sweet and honorable
woman.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Laura and
Miles develop. The sparks are evident between them from the moment they meet,
though both try to resist them. Miles is a commoner who is (gasp!) in trade,
and Laura is a Society lady. While an aristocratic man may marry a well-dowered
commoner woman without repercussions, the same doesn't go for the reverse. A
woman who marries "down" will be shunned by Society. But over the
course of Susanna's lessons, Laura and Miles become friends, discovering that
they have much in common. I loved Laura's excitement at finding someone who
understands her love of numbers and her relief at her ability to be herself
with him. Miles is captivated by Laura's intelligence and beauty.
I ached for both as they realized that their feelings would
have no happy resolution. Then Laura's father suffers from a financial
disaster, and Laura's future looks bleak. I loved how Miles's protective
instincts were aroused. The ball scene drove home the hypocrisy of the ton, and
I loved the effect it had on Miles. His actions showed how deeply he cared for
Laura but still denied his feelings to protect her reputation. I loved the
ending and seeing Laura take her happiness into her own hands. The scene at the
bank was fantastic, and the epilogue was great.
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