Review: Interesting
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 19, 2014
This short story kept me wondering -- not so much about the main characters as much as the hero's sister.  What was going on with her left a bit of a mystery in my mind.Our heroine's father has died, and she learns that in order for the family to keep their home and finances from going to a relative she needs to marry by Christmas.  She meets the hero at a ball.  He has returned from the war minus an arm.He had struggled with the pain by drinking, then had to break the habit of drinking.  His personality has become withdrawal and sullen.  His sister manages to get him to take her to the ball, but she seems almost panicked around large numbers of people -- and particularly around men.  There is the hint something unpleasant happened to her, but that is never brought to light.The heroine has some words with him at the ball, and even goes so far t to almost kiss him.  She next sees him while trying to find her dog.  It is snowing and quite cold.  He helps her locate the pet but by then the weather is worse and the couple must take shelter for the night.  Our heroine decides to seduce him.  He would then offer to marry her and her family would be saved.The seduction works but he makes no offer for her hand the next day.  She eventually confesses to him why she gave herself to him.  Things turn out as they should -- except for the sister's story.  Perhaps that will come along in a later book.  I hope so.