Series:
School for Spinsters (Book 3)
After five unsuccessful seasons, Emma Bartholomew’s
stepmother threatens to auction off her hand in marriage. Horrified at the
idea, Emma enlists the help of the School for Spinsters to help her find a
husband quickly. But she knows that no man will want to wed her after he learns
the secret she’s hiding…that she’s practically blind.
Cormac Ormond, the Irish Earl of Dunmeath, is seeking a
quick marriage because he desperately wants an heir. He knows he’s dying, and
it doesn’t matter what sort of bride he finds, as long as she’s willing to help
him.
After meeting Emma, Cormac plans to outbid every
suitor…but will she marry a man whose time is running out?
Good book. Having met Cormac in the previous books, I was
curious about him and his hurry to find a bride. Early in the book, we learn
that Cormac suffers from a debilitating disease whose symptoms mirror the same
illnesses that killed his father and brother. He wants to marry and sire an
heir before he dies and fears that his time is running out. His impatience has
made him a laughingstock in the ton, as he barely waits ten minutes before
proposing to the women he meets. Growing more desperate daily, he visits Mrs.
Harding at the School for Spinsters and enlists her help.
Emma has been out for five unsuccessful seasons and has
spent all of them as a wallflower. Now her stepmother plans to auction her off
to the highest bidder. At the suggestion of the heroines of the two previous
books, Emma begs the help of Mrs. Harding to help her find a husband. Her efforts
are hindered by the secret she has hidden for years - she is nearly blind.
I liked Emma and Cormac. Emma's confidence is low because
of her vision problems, but she doesn't let it stop her from doing her best. I
liked her lessons at the school and seeing her gain some confidence. Mrs.
Harding uses Cormac for Emma's lessons, as she can see they need each other. It
doesn't take long for Cormac to figure out Emma's handicap; he is patient and
kind as he helps her through her tasks. He continues to ask her to marry him,
but her insecurities keep her from saying yes.
Cormac promises to be at her side at an upcoming ball but
is taken ill and doesn't make it. When Emma's stepmother moves up the auction
to that night, Emma is left without support and believes that she cannot trust
Cormac to be there for her. While he rescues her in a roundabout way, she still
resists marrying him. I grew frustrated with her qualms because she clearly
cared for him, and he for her. I was relieved when she finally gave in.
Their return to Ireland creates some stress. His mother
is furious at his return and suspicious of Emma. It takes a bit for Emma to
settle into her role. She wants to become the Countess Cormac deserves, but he
wants to protect her from the unhappiness she feels because of her disability.
I loved that she had the confidence to stand up for herself. Cormac's health improved during their short
honeymoon, but he became ill again when home. I loved Emma's belief that some
outside force was causing it and her determination to find out what it was. I
was surprised it took so long, as I had figured it out before Cormac left
London. There were some tense moments as both of them became ill (at separate
times), but it also helped them realize their feelings for each other. I loved
how they finally discovered what caused Cormac's illness and how that opened up
a bright future for them. I liked the epilogue and seeing how they were doing a
year later.
A secondary story takes place in the book's last half.
Mrs. Harding has a new student, a man this time. Sir Brian has a history with
her - he has been trying to court her. But she had an abusive marriage and has
no intention of marrying again. I like Sir Brian's persistence and
determination. Hopefully, there will be another book in the series that will
cover their story.
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