A stand-alone companion to Of Moths and Butterflies and Cry of the Peacock.As a widower, Nathanial Durham has the monumental responsibility of finding suitable husbands for his two daughters. Flirtatious and changeable Bethany might have nearly anyone, but she seems determined to toss her suitors away almost the moment they arrive. Laynie, on the other hand, far behind her sister in looks and … in looks and charm, is of especial concern to her father. And so, when Harold Vaughn returns home to inherit, it seems the problem, at least for one of his daughters, is solved. Only which daughter will it be?
Even his girls cannot quite decide, and so, to cool the rivalry, the sisters are sent to an aunt’s, where they are thrown into the path of other young and eligible gentlemen—and a new rivalry begins.
Meanwhile, Mr. Durham, lonely for intelligent companionship, hires a gentleman to read to him several nights a week, but Mr. Holbrook is off limits to his coquettish girls. With varying degrees of reluctance, they honor the agreement. At least Beth does for herself, but if its possible Mr. Holbrook might provide a distraction for her sister while she decides which gentleman she prefers for herself, well…what harm can there be?
Some, it seems. When Laynie, accident prone and determined to get herself into any fix that comes her way, falls from a horse, it sets in motion a series of events that expose Mr. Holbrook as a man of questionable integrity. Is it possible Mr. Durham’s hired companion is capable of the wrongs laid at his door? Is it possible Laynie has been mistaken in esteeming him as a man of character?
Is it possible to know anyone truly?
Between the manufactured innocence of a young woman and the championed exploits of every man, what happens when the two opposing doctrines collide?
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The characters were very believable. I loved it because it was a clean book!! I am sure I will reread this book!!
Excellent writing. Author is a very good story teller. Good characters. Lots of twist and turned. Loved it.
Loved it
A great historical read! Will be looking for more from this author.
Good
UNPREDICTABLE!
A Chess Game written!
This book is fantastic-for lack of a better word! The characters are so rich and there’s so much digest with each chapter. I love how it showcases human nature both at its best and worst. Such a deeply moving and well written book.
I would have given it 5 stars but it was too long.
Imaginative although some of the stories leave you hanging
Predictable. Two sisters. An aging father. Suitors and a need for marriage. Betrayal. Jealousy. Duplicity. Revenge. Complications. Lies and misrepresentations. All the usual characters and goings-on. Not a bad book but it got long and i found me myself skimming
The absolute best book I’ve read in a really long time. Loved it!
It was a good read about sisters and friends and family! Have a good time with this one.
Very good story and no steamy sex. Yea!
I loved the story line. The characters were masterfully written.
Liked this book
I think I love VR Christensen :> this was book 3 but each book was readily enjoyed as a separate entity…..love the play on titles and script / author’s style/story line, etc
Fun to read although it was slow at times.
Couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed the book. There were enough plot twists to keep me interested. And the absence of explicit sex scenes is a very definite plus for me personally.
Good characters and interesting plot twist. Shows how little independence woman of that time had. It was always our faught.