In need of a wife…
Christian Villiers, the Marquess of St. Cyr, despises the role he’s been cast into as fortune hunter but requires the funds to keep his marquisate solvent. Yet, the sins of his past cloud his future, preventing him from seeing beyond his fateful actions at the Battle of Toulouse. For he knows inevitably it will catch up with him, and everyone will remember his actions on the … actions on the battlefield that cost so many so much—particularly his best friend.
In want of a husband…
Lady Prudence Tidemore’s life is plagued by familial scandals, which makes her own marital prospects rather grim. Surely there is one gentleman of the ton who can look past her family and see just her and all she has to offer?
When Prudence runs into Christian on a London street, the charming, roguish gentleman immediately captures her attention. But then a chance meeting becomes a waltz, and now…
A Perfect Match…
All she must do is convince Christian to forget the cold requirements he has for his future marchioness. But the demons in his past prevent him from turning himself over to love. One thing is certain–Prudence wants the marquess and is determined to have him in her life, now and forever. It’s just a matter of convincing Christian he wants the same.
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This wonderful tale is about Lady Prudence Tidemore (introduced in previous series), a very spirited and unconventional young heiress, who dreams of a true love marriage. But with the scandals in her family, Prudence is destined to be a wallflower, shunned by society through no fault of her own (her brother, the Earl, married their governess and her eldest sister a failed elopement, but then a love marriage). Christian, Marquess of St Cyr, is a war hero, who lives with demons of his own from French war. He inherited a bankrupt title with not only that responsibility but the need to provide for his mother and 15 year old sister – not to mention his staff of wounded veterans no one will hire. His only option is to marry money. Because of his actions at age 20, he caused the wounding of not only his best friend, but others. He dons the persona of a rogue, keeping clear of any innocent entanglements. His guilt prevents him from the pursuit of happiness – until he sees Prudence sitting at a ball, tapping her foot to the music – but no partner. That waltz was the beginning of the light in his dark world and for Prudence, finally a man who will not condemn her for the actions of others. But it is an uphill battle that Prudence is determined to win for she sees the goodness in Christian. But Prudence must convince her brother and family that he is not just a fortune hunter. The real obstacle is to prove to Christian to forgive and heal himself and bring hope and joy to both of them. Beautiful, touching and sensitive love story!!
This is a wonderful story about the guilt and horrors of war that men carry with them after they return home. These soldiers now fight a different battle; one which some never win.
Christian Villiers is one of these men. He’s covered the scars he bears by roguish living. Thrust into the position of Marquis, he’s inherited with the title an insurmountable debt. He needs to marry for money: For now he’s responsible for his mother, sister, and his unusual staff made up of former soldiers.
Prudence Tidemore is a romantic. Her family has suffered two scandals that hang over her and her younger sisters’ heads. That makes her a wallflower because no one in the ton of Regency England wants to be attached to a scandal.
A chance meeting between the two sets in motion a whirlwind of events and emotions. No matter what, they can and will not be together.
I totally enjoyed this book. At first I feared it would be a mirror of the first book in the series, but it was much more. I was engaged with the characters as they wrestled with their emotions and their situations. It’s a great storyline, made better by the fact that the author spent time with former military men who suffered the same guilt and shame. Of course I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading stories of redemption and the power of love.
The Audible version is narrated by Tim Campbell. Although he’s not my favorite, I think he did a good job with this book. He brought Christian to life in a deeply satisfying way.
I loved it – another emotional & wonderful read by Christi Caldwell. The hero, Christian Villiers, the Marquess of St. Cyr, is an ex-soldier who still suffers the dark effects of the war & doesn’t believe he deserves to be happy. Due to a death, he is now a Marquess with life ruining debts & has a Mother & 15yr .old sister to look after. He needs to find a rich wife to pay off the debts owed against his title. Then Prudence Tidemore, who is a wallflower with no prospects of marriage after two scandals within her family,shunned by the London ton, she hates the ballroom scenes ,that is until she meets Christian again. I highly recommend you reading the book to find out what the journey is like to their HEA! I needed tissues, chocolate & wine to get through some of the emotional parts of the book!