The Viscount's Betrothalby Louise Allenreviewed by Leanne DavisFebruary 2010, 278 pages, Publisher: Harlequin, ISBN: 0373295820 Back Cover Blurb: Miss Decima Ross knows for a fact that her overbearing family regularly remind themselves to "marry off poor dear Dessy." But who would ever want a graceless, freckled beanpole like herself?
Hearing that she is once more to be paraded in front of an eligible gentleman, Decima hurriedly leaves her brother's house. And encounters Adam Grantham, Viscount Weston, the first man she's ever met who's tall enough to sweep her off her feet…literally! Could such a handsome rake really find her attractive?
Decima Ross is tall, gangly, and freckled. No one has ever accepted her as she is except for her friend, Sir Henry. Her family has paraded her before every eligible male for years. Now that she has reached the age to control her inheritance, Decima has decided to stand up for herself. When her sister-in-law announces that they expect some guests to come over, Decima has had enough. She sets off for her own home with her maid even though it looks like snow.
Adam Grantham, Viscount Weston, is running scared. His sister has been drawn into a scheme to introduce him to the neighbor's spinster sister. Having evaded matrimony all these years, Adam isn't interested in meeting yet another awkward young woman. When he comes across Miss Ross and her maid, he feels duty bound to offer his assistance. He doesn't expect to meet someone with whom he can converse and banter intelligently with.
The snowstorm hits and the nearest hostelry is a pub with no rooms and known for its rough clientele. When Viscount Weston offers her the alternative of sheltering at his home, she takes him up on the offer. Upon their arrival at Adam's home, they are all dismayed to find the servants are gone, and all they have to help them is Adam's manservant who has a broken leg, and Decima's maid who is now running a high fever.
During this ordeal Adam and Decima get a deep understanding of each other that normal society would not allow. Adam is drawn to Decima for her intelligence, sense of humor and her acceptance of the world around her.
When the real world intrudes though, the two separate and go their own ways, but both think longingly of each other and do everything in their power to find one another again.
This is a fabulous read! Ms. Allen has peopled the book with interesting characters; she has a deft hand with humor and an eminently readable story. I went back and read the book again a week after the first read and enjoyed it just as much even knowing what was going to happen. That is the highest compliment I can give a book.
Reviewed by Leanne Davis
Contact us!
Cybil Solyn, csolyn@rakehell.com
|
