The marquess has returned
To claim his marchioness!
Venetia has made a quiet life for herself without any
help from the man she married five years ago. They were both trapped into
marriage, but he abandoned her. So when newly titled Marquess Everett Lasalle
returns unannounced, expecting his wallflower wife to step into the role of
society lady, she won't make it easy! Even if he does seem a changed man and is
sparking a desire worth waiting for…
I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to a disastrous attempt
by Venetia to protect her sister, combined with a cruel trick played by
Everett's brother, she and Everett were forced to marry. Everett was furious,
believing that Venetia had trapped him on purpose. He abandoned her right after
the wedding, leaving on his planned voyage to India. Venetia lived a quiet,
impoverished life on one of his brother's estates for five years.
Everett had no plans to return to England until he
received word that his brother had died, making him the new Marquess of Gore. He
knew he would have to see Venetia again and make their marriage work. He
returned to London, expecting to find her there enjoying life as a society
lady, and was stunned that she wasn't there. It took some time to track her
location. Venetia was shocked when Everett showed up, as she had no idea his
brother was dead.
Their first meeting was an antagonistic one. She is
furious over his neglect and abandonment, while Everett believes she is lying
about receiving no support. Venetia isn't happy when he insists that she return
with him to London to take her place as his wife. She is happy where she is and
has found a calling in helping abused wives escape their husbands. I loved
seeing Venetia stand up to Everett and refuse to accept his demands, making him
work for her cooperation.
Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flared
between them, and they weren't pleased about it. Venetia still remembers his
cutting remarks on their wedding day, and Everett doesn't trust her. But as
they are forced to spend time together, their relationship changes. I loved
that Everett felt guilty about what Venetia went through because of his neglect,
especially after discovering the truth. I liked his protectiveness when he saw
how her father treated her and began to understand how their marriage happened.
Venetia sees that Everett has changed in the five years he's been gone and
begins to hope that their marriage may work out.
I liked seeing Venetia and Everett get to know each other
and discover they had much in common. I loved the scene where they waltzed
together and his patience with her insecurities. That patience was evident when
they gave in to their attraction, with Venetia surprising herself and Everett.
There is also a fantastic scene at Almack's that made me laugh out loud. But
when Venetia is needed to help another abused wife, she can't bring herself to confide
in Everett. To return alone to her previous home, she picks a fight with him. I
ached for both of them because they were clearly in love but too proud to risk
rejection.
I ached for Venetia's heartbreak, though she brought it
on herself. At the same time, Everett copes by getting wasted, then rescued by
his brother-in-law. I loved that he decided to go after her and ended up
walking into the middle of a problem with her latest rescue. He won significant
points with Venetia and me, as he immediately stepped up to help. I enjoyed
seeing the plan he came up with and how it worked out. With no more secrets
between them, they were able to break down the last of the barriers keeping
them apart.
Though we didn't see much of him, I loved Venetia's
brother, Paris. He and Venetia protected each other from their father as best
they could. I felt for him when he talked about the woman he loved and thought
he couldn't have. I liked how he took care of Everett and later asked Everett's
advice about India. I would love to see him get a story of his own.
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