Series:
Duke's Guard (Book 4)
Mollie Malloy happily works for the Duke and Duchess of
Wyndmere in the Lake District, until the day her head is turned, and her heart
is lost to the heartbreakingly handsome member of the duke's guard -- Finn
O'Malley.
Finn is tempted by lovely Mollie and cannot afford to be.
When he can no longer ignore the slip of a lass, he requests a transfer to the
duke's crumbling tower on the coast of Cornwall. When she discovers Finn asked
to be transferred to Cornwall, she is devastated.
He sweeps back into her life when the head of the duke's
guard is injured. Finn struggles with his control -- and the need to honor his
vow to protect the duke and his family. Mollie cannot resist the smoldering
desire in Finn's emerald eyes.
Duty calls and Finn returns to Cornwall. He and his men
struggle to protect those rebuilding Penwith Tower, while smugglers and
wreckers ply their trade in the caves beneath the duke's ancient tower. Rumors
abound that the local excise official has been looking the other way and lining
his pockets. The official decides it's time to get rid of O'Malley -- the same
time Finn receives an urgent message from Mollie.
He returns to Wyndmere Hall to discover Mollie's carrying
his babe, but not ready to accept his proposal. She wants to marry for love --
not for the protection of his name. He's torn: should he leave his new bride in
the safety of Wyndmere Hall -- or would she be safer by his side?
It is only when the hangman's noose is around Finn's neck
that he realizes the feisty lass has always held his heart.
Danger stalks in the night, but it will have to get past
The Duke's Dragoon before he will let harm come to those he has sworn to
protect with his strength, his heart, and his honor.
Terrific addition to the Duke's Guard series. Finn is one
of the O'Malleys who comprise the Duke's Guard. He played a significant role in
the previous book,
The Duke's Shield, where we get the first inkling of his
feelings for Mollie. Mollie is one of the maids at Wyndmere and is in love with
Finn. But Finn is a stubborn Irishman and believes that he can't be an
effective member of the Guard if he's distracted by Mollie, so he requests a
transfer to the duke's Cornwall property. When trouble comes to Wyndmere, Finn
returns to help and falls back under Mollie's spell.
As this book opens, it's time for Finn to return to
Cornwall. It is heartbreaking to see him and Mollie say goodbye to each other.
Finn knows that Mollie is the other half of his heart but can't bring himself
to tell her so. He sees her feelings in her eyes, and it is hard for him to
leave her behind, but the situation in Cornwall is too volatile to take her
there. Mollie believes Finn cares for her, but he's never said so. He tells her
he'll miss her and let him know if she needs him.
I ached for Mollie when she realized she was pregnant.
She's convinced she needs to leave her job before anyone finds out. All she
wants is Finn, but she believes he doesn't want her and that he's forgotten
about her. I loved the scene with the duchess. Her kindness, understanding, and
encouragement are precisely what Mollie needs. There is also a good scene with
Patrick (Finn's brother and head of the guard), who has his own suspicions.
Meanwhile, there is trouble in Cornwall. Finn and the
others are hard at work repairing the duke's property and trying to root out
trouble. A French smuggler and corrupt excise officer use caves on the duke's
property for nefarious purposes. Sabotage and murder are just part of what they
must deal with. All of this added to a summons from Wyndmere, and Finn is back.
The reunion scene between Mollie and Finn shows the pride
and stubbornness each possesses. Mollie isn't about to marry because of
obligation or without love. Finn's frustration was evident and amusing as he
and Mollie butt heads over his intentions. I loved seeing him finally come up
with the words she needed to hear. Finn is prophetic when he tells Mollie their
life together will be an adventure.
The roller coaster begins when Finn takes Mollie back to
Cornwall with him. Kidnappings and beatings, complicated plans and rescues, and
one stubborn and inventive Irishwoman had me on the edge of my seat through the
end of the book. I loved watching the teamwork of the Guard and Coventry's and
King's men; their respect for each other is always impressive. There were times
I wanted to shake both Finn and Mollie for taking the risks they did though
their actions were no surprise. The resolution was a nail-biter that leaves a
possible lead-in for the next book.
I loved the relationship between Finn and Mollie. Finn
can be adorably sweet one moment and frustratingly stubborn and overprotective
the next. But his love for Mollie is undeniable. Mollie is steadfast in her
love for Finn. She knows him well and handles his overprotectiveness in her own
way. She is equally protective of him and doesn't hesitate to act if she thinks
it's necessary. I loved the epilogue.
No comments:
Post a Comment