She needs a champion. He needs one less person to worry about.
Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off the engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new … new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?
Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister’s dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn’t help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other for his face, fortune, and title so that he’s left without a moment’s peace.
When Selena shows up at Lucius’s doorstep looking for help, he is sure it’s another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society’s teeth when she continues to hold him at arm’s length?
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What a delightful! read I thought the first few chapters were a little confusing, but I soon came to understand why the author chose to tell it that why. I liked the spunk of Selena and Lucius was as gruff as a bear. Will Selena turn the gruff bear into a teddy bear? The character development was perfect, tests and trials at every turn and sweet romance added up to 5 stars from me. I hope to hear more of this family. I think George and Philippa need their stories told.
In a society that denigrates a person purely for the sins of the father, Selena Lockhart has no place to show her face. Having been publically shamed by her ex-fiancé, Selena realises that if her family is to survive she has to make her own way in the world and earn an income. On her way to Lady Harrowden as a companion, Selena’s journey is interrupted as a result of a carriage accident and ends up on Sir Lucius Clavering’s doorstep. Only she has no way of knowing that she is not the only young lady to make her way to his hunting lodge that night. This novel has moments of wit and humour, but mostly it is emotional and the heroine’s pain is well portrayed and keenly felt. Lucius is a cynical man and he soon realises the errors of his ways when his heart becomes entangled in Selena’s plight. After making a monumental mistake, one that earns the rebuke of his younger siblings, Lucius finally comes to a place where he knows that if he does not set matters straight, he will lose the most significant relationship of his life. The plot is clean and romantic, jerking the heartstrings, making one feel deeply for Selena and her situation. Lucius’ actions were dishonourable at times, but I was glad that as the story ensued, he grew a backbone. This novel is standalone and comes to a very happy conclusion, a copy of which I received as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I was captivated by the love story of Selena, a young woman trying to adjust to her reduced circumstances, and Lucius, a man who just wants to be left alone. I adored the heroine and the hero, especially her spirit, and his sense of fairness. The characters were not perfect, though, as she could be too prideful, and he could get so caught up in himself that it would prevent him from doing what he should, or even what he had promised, but that made them feel real. Even the secondary characters came to life and elicited strong feelings from me, and there are two I hope will soon have their own stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story and definitely recommend it to fans of Regency, to those who like sweet love stories, or to those looking for a happy story to read.