Series:
Southern Belles in London (Book 2)
She trusted him with her life…
But what about her heart?
After the American Civil War propels widow Clara and her
daughter to England, they're given refuge by the enigmatic Marquess of
Clairmount. Being the damsel in distress doesn't come easy to independent
Clara, so after finding his estate in disarray, she seizes her chance to help
him. As she plays the role of marchioness, her attraction to the guarded
marquess is bittersweet, as this Cinderella knows she doesn't belong in his
aristocratic world…
Excellent second installment in the series. In the
previous book,
The Return of His Promised Duchess, Clara's friend Annabelle
found happiness and a new life in England after fleeing the ravages of the US
Civil War. At the end of that book, Annabelle and her husband ask Roger,
Marquess of Clairmount, to find her friends Clara, Clara's daughter Abigail,
and Suzanne and bring them to England. This book opens as they arrive in England.
Clara is in rough shape. She is grieving the death of her
husband and the loss of their dreams and home. The ravages of their living
conditions physically wear her down before they are found and swept away to
safety in England. However, Clara's independent and stubborn nature is still
strong, and she doesn't react well to what greets her on arrival. I wanted to
shake her for being rude, but I also understood that she felt overwhelmed and
out of her depth.
Roger was happy to help Annabelle and Drew while they
were away. He planned to take Clara and the others to his country home,
Clairmount, where they could stay while waiting, and he would return to London.
But something about Clara drew him to her, and he wanted to spend more time
with her.
The development of the relationship between Roger and
Clara was interesting. Clara is so wrapped up in her grief for her husband that
she isn't living her life. But once she is away from Virginia and the home of
her grief, the outside world begins to break through the wall she's built
around herself. Clara resists the feelings Roger's kindness and attention stir
in her and feels guilty over what she sees as a betrayal of her husband's love.
The more time she spends with him, the harder it is to deny her growing
feelings for Roger. But she believes she doesn't belong in his aristocratic
world and pushes him away.
Roger has spent most of his life firmly resisting the
idea of ever getting married, the background of which is heartbreaking. But
from the moment he met them, Clara and little Abigail made their way into his
heart. The way he took care of Clara when she was ill and the thoughtfulness of
his actions showed a different Roger than the one seen by the rest of the
world. I loved the scenes with Abigail and her "Doger." His
conversations with Drew as he adjusted to the changes in his views of love and marriage
were fantastic. I ached for him as Clara pushed him away, and I loved how he
continued to find ways to help her.
The ending was terrific. I loved seeing Clara finally break
out of her prison of grief and realize that she could love again. Her big scene
with Roger was emotional and very satisfying. I liked the epilogue and seeing
the happiness that Roger and Clara have finally allowed themselves to
experience.
I'm looking forward to reading Suzanne's story.
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