Review: Not my cup of tea.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 6, 2014
Mary Smith is a vicar's illegitimate daughter who has an evil half-brother named Matthis. After their father death, Matthis gambled and drunk thru his inheritance. To get out of debt he sold Mary's clothes and shoes and when that was not enough he will sell her too.Alasdair Thornham, Marquess of Datchworth, is a man living in opium haze. He was fighting the French with his older brother, Anthony, when he was shot. Anthony was killed and he returned to England to become the new heir apparent, disappoint his parents, marry his brother's woman, watch his parents die, and then watch his wife die with his daughter in childbirth. Alasdair crawls into a bottle of opium and never came out. He decides to travel far away in opium and disappear forever.Alasdair is waking up from his tavern table to see a woman and her virginity being auction off. He does not know why, but he pays 5 for her. Alasdair decides to marry her, establish her in society and then he can disappear. Mary is shocked that this man wants to marry her, but after Matthis threatens and kicks her the next morning she goes with Alasdair. These two take a misadventure to Scotland to get hitched and meet Hugh, Alasdair's cousin, who wants him to be committed so he can be the new Marquess. They have highwayman, Matthis, Hugh and even a posse to arrest them on their way to Scotland and then back to London. Will Mary's love be enough to keep Alasdair from opium? Will Alasdair love her enough to let her go?This is the 3rd book of Megan Frampton that I have read. The story has some funny parts with all the folks chasing them. Alasdair was a great character and I wanted to read more about his journey away from his addiction. Mary was fundamental to Alasdair wellbeing. I did not enjoy this book as much as her others. The story had many predictable moments and to much bad luck moments for the hero and heroine. His addiction for Mary was such a good story, but it never really took off for me. In my opinion, not her best book. I give this book 2 fingers up and 5 toes.Reviewed from a NetGalley ARC.