Review: 4+ in this 2nd book
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 17, 2013
We are reintroduced to Lily, just out of mourning her military fiancé, 2nd season in, and Isabelle's best friend from DUCHESS. Her father is open to her choice of husband, but stipulates that a title must come with the marriage. Her father also provides an extremely hefty dowery that brings along all sorts of fortune hunters. Ethan is a viscount in line for an Earldom, heavily in debt and is persuaded by his rival's mistress to pursue Lily and her dowery. It would clear is debt and give Ethan the opportunity to be with said mistress. Events lead to the witness of Lily and Ethan kissing at Vauxhall and thus the wedding ensues. However, Lily's father changes the marriage contact and reduces the dowery to only 10% of the original value. The rest to be paid when Lily informs her father that Ethan has given her a happy marriage. But how can Ethan possibly make her happy when he is bound to break her heart if she finds out about the mistress?Ms. Boyce, again, provides wonderfully flawed characters who are trying to do the right thing, protecting their delicate hearts, while the world seems to be conspiring against them at every turn. I can't wait for her next book with Naomi!