Lyon of the Ton - Emily Royal (Dragonblade Pub - Oct 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 45)
 
Divided by betrayal…united by need…redeemed by love
 
Wealthy widow Lady Betty Grey conceals a tragic history behind the façade of the glittering socialite. When her scandalous secret is exposed by the man who once broke her heart, she must act quickly before gossip brings about total ruination. Her old friend Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers, for a price, to secure Betty a titled husband willing to marry her sight unseen—then consummate the union within an hour of the ceremony to seal the deal.
 
Harcourt Martingale, fifth Duke of Pittchester, faces bankruptcy. Still bitter from past heartbreak, he has no wish for a wife. But needs must, and he enters the Lyon’s Den, where titled men sell themselves for a dowry. Unwilling to indulge in the drinking wagers best suited to the young, Harcourt enters a simple game of chance, and wins an anonymous bride who insists that they meet at the altar then proceed to the bedchamber.
 
Betty is horrified when her bridegroom is revealed to be the man who nearly destroyed her reputation, but when their consummation reignites long-dormant passions, she resolves to make the best of her situation, and Harcourt finds himself yearning for the forgiveness—and the heart—of the only woman he’s ever loved.
 
But when the full extent of Betty’s tragic past threatens to unravel, Harcourt must prove himself worthy of her trust, or risk losing her forever.
 
Good second chance romance. Betty has had a difficult life, from giving her heart to a man who didn't deserve it to the things she had to do to survive to the hard-won happiness she currently enjoys. Then, the man who broke her heart exposes a secret from her past, and she is left scrambling to save her reputation. Her friend Mrs. Dove-Lyons offers to find her the titled husband she needs, who will accept her conditions.
 
Harcourt is flat broke, with twin sons to raise and an estate to care for. Reluctantly, he goes to the Lyon's Den to acquire the wealthy wife he doesn't want but desperately needs.
 
He and Betty are stunned to realize that Mrs. Dove-Lyons has matched them despite their history. Harcourt is the man who took her innocence but refused to marry her because his father would disapprove. Instead, he married as he was told and had a short but unhappy marriage, leaving him with two sons to raise.
 
For better or worse, he and Betty are married. Both are surprised that their attraction still lives after all these years. As they begin their life together, Harcourt discovers he wants to earn her forgiveness and heart. Betty is wary of trusting him again, and it takes patience on his part to get past her walls. I liked seeing Betty connect with his sons, and it was amusing to see Harcourt's envy. I liked Harcourt's patience and determination to earn her trust. When he learns of another piece of her tragic past, he goes to great lengths to make it right for her. He won my heart with his actions and desire to make her happy.
 
I liked Harcourt's sons and how easily they connected with Betty. It was fun to see their interactions and how protective of her they became.