Review: A typical but good read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2014
An Accidental Affair by Heather Boyd is the fourth book in her Distinguished Rogues series. It was an enjoyable read I liked well enough but I have read better. The character are typical for a trope like this virginal widow looking for an affair to spread her wings and express the freedom of her widowhood. Then there is your typical titled scoundrel turning over a new leaf and in search of a wife. Not unique characters but they are well written very likable and easy to sympathize with.Lady Farnsworth, Arabella Lawson, was trapped in a loveless marriage with an older man and when he died he left her on her own and still a virgin. She was quite content in her solitary life living in the country until her brother-in-law asks for her help as chaperone for his rambunctious daughter. Under her friends advise she decides now would be the ideal time to find a lover. But her niece's rebellious ways has her chasing the girl all over the place.Merrick Bishop, the Earl of Rothwell, has had enough with his wicked ways and has decided to find a suitable wife. What he finds instead is an available Lady Farnsworth. Lady Farnsworth is neighbor to his best friend and has introduced to her but never had the opportunity to spend anytime with the beautiful and proper Arabella. Fate has given him the chance when her niece and his younger cousin fall in love. Lord Farnsworth, Arabella's brother-in-law, has already agreed to his daughter marrying Lord Parker. Cecily Farnsworth's will not let her father get away with marring her off to a perverted old codger like Parker and enlists her aunts help. Together Merrick and Arabella help Laurence and Cecily elope. When Lord Farnsworth finds out he gets far into his cups and attacks Arabelle. She flees the house in fear for her safety with only one place to go where she know she will be safe, to Merrick's house.Merrick is in a rage when he finds Arabella beaten and bruised in his house and agrees to protect her from her brother-in-law. Falling more in love with every passing minute Merrick buys Arabella's house from Farnsworth and plans to give it back to her so she won't have to worry about Farnsworth selling it out from under her and selling her to Lord Parker instead of Cecily. They manage to avoid scandal while staying in his house until Merrick's meddlesome Aunt unexpectedly visits and finds out. Her knowing can ruin everything so they plan to hurry Arabella off to her country house so no ones the wiser. But everything comes unhinged when the truth comes out and secrets are revealed and Arabella is kidnapped.One of the things I loved about this book was that even though he had the reputation of a scoundrel, Merrick was at heart a good guy. After his father's death he brought together all his half-brothers and sisters and made sure they were taken care of. He believed it was his responsibility to clean up his father's mess. Arabella was typical but I loved how she strung Merrick along for a while until she thought she was ready. I liked this book, yes, some aspects were just like other books and some I liked more. Would I recommend this book if someone asked, yes I would it was a good read and I enjoyed reading it.