To fulfill his duty, he must forsake his chance at happiness. When the man who saves his life during the Battle of Waterloo dies from wounds that were meant for him, Captain Edward Hathaway must live with the guilt of having survived and is determined to fulfill that man’s dying wish. Grace Kent only accepted her childhood friend’s proposal of marriage so he wouldn’t go off to war with a broken … marriage so he wouldn’t go off to war with a broken heart. But while she still grieves for her friend after learning of his death, she cannot resist her attraction to the handsome Captain Hathaway.
He is determined to discharge his duty at the expense of his own happiness. She wants only one taste of true passion. Together, can they overcome the guilt that continues to haunt them both?
Captain Hathaway’s Dilemma is book 3 in the Hathaway Heirs series and was formerly available in The Incomparables box set as The Captain’s Heart.
more
Capt. Edward Hathaway is given a letter from Freddie Reynolds to deliver to his betrothed. Freddie saved his life and he feels honor bound to grant his wish, but argues that Freddie will probably see her before he does. But when Freddie passes away, a grief stricken Edward is determined to carry out his request.
Grace Kent was saddened to learn of Freddie’s death and feels guilty that she had planned to break the betrothal when he returned. She loved Freddie, but as a brother and only agreed to marry him so he didn’t go off to war with a broken heart. So when Edward comes to deliver the letter, she refuses to see him. Edward is diligent and finally catches her returning from a ride – but he believes her to be her widowed sister Helen and she doesn’t correct his misassumption.
Edward is very interested in “Helen” and wants to tempt her into an affair until “Grace” returns. Grace is equally interested in Edward, no other man has ever captured her interest and she decides to give into her desire. But when the real Helen shows up, she knows it is time to come clean with Edward.
She goes to see him with the intention of telling him the truth, but when she tries, he stops her and they let their desire have full reign. Later Edward realizes that “Helen” is Grace and he has ruined her – he tells her they will marry. He feels incredible guilt for making love to Freddie’s love, even though Grace told him that she never loved him as a lover and was not going to marry him.
Grace refuses to marry him, demands he give her the letter and leaves. Edward complies – but this is not over – she will marry him.
The book was okay, it was a little too “intsa-love” for my taste and I didn’t really care for Grace at the beginning of the book. The book is well written, packs an emotional punch, has steamy love scenes and finally a HEA. It is the third book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
During the Battle of Waterloo Private Freddie Reynolds saved Captain Edward Hathaway from a sabre thrust but then Freddie is shot & loses a leg & dies so Edward must live with the guilt of having survived and is determined to fulfill Freddie’s dying wish which was to deliver a letter to Grace Kent his fiancée. However Grace is also coping with the guilt of knowing she only accepted her childhood friend’s proposal of marriage so he wouldn’t go off to war with a broken heart.
A very enjoyable novella that I read in an afternoon. It handled the topic of survivor’s guilt very well & took me through a gamut of emotions. Edward & Grace were well portrayed & for such a short story had plenty of depth of character. The story flowed really well & held my interest throughout. There were misunderstandings & reticence to move on all of which added to my enjoyment
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Captain’s Heart by Suzanna Medeiros is book Three in the Hathaway Heirs series. This is the story of Captain Edward Hathaway and Grace Kent. This can easily be a standalone book.
Edward at the Battle of Waterloo was saved by a man who died because of his heroic sacrifice had a dying wish that Edward goes to fulfill. This leads him to Grace who was a friend and a promise women to that man. Although Graced cared for her friend very much she didn’t love him in a romantic way but did agree to become his wife if it would help him when he went off to Battle. But now Edward is here letting her know of her friends death and wanting to fulfill the dying wish she finds that she does have romantic feeling for Edward.
Good Quick Read!
This was another little gem of a book by Susanna Medeiros. Though the third installment of the Hathaway Heirs series, this title stands alone. Edward is home from the war with Napolean, and he must deliver a message from the man who saved his life to the man’s fiance. Grace doesn’t want the letter and feels great guilt, so she tries to avoid him. When he finally catches up with her, she allows him to think that she is Grace’s sister.
Now normally books based on deception bug me, but since this is a short novella, it works well to propel the story. The quick romance between Edward and Grace is both hot and sweet. Then Grace’s sister then arrives home…oops. Can things possibly work out? Perhaps, and with a little help from deceased fiance Freddie! This was a satisfying, lovely novella.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.