His Convenient Marchioness

Terrific book with the unusual plot point of having older main characters, a very nice change of pace. Hunt has just turned fifty and finds himself in the position of needing an heir. He lost his wife and children to smallpox eleven years earlier and recently lost his younger half-brother. His sisters are happy to assist him, but he vehemently rejects their list of simpering young debutants (one of whom was his goddaughter – shudder). He’d much prefer to marry a widow of mature years, who understands that it won’t be a love match.

Emma is thirty-two with two young children. She had loved her husband very much. Theirs was a love match, though opposed by their feuding families. As a result, Emma was disowned by her parents, and they were ignored by his. When Peter died, Emma was left in financial straits, and making ends meet is a challenge. She adores her children and is very much a hands-on parent with their care. Her life is complicated by men who believe a widow is fair game and who take it badly when Emma rejects their advances.

I loved the first meeting between Hunt and Emma. Both were visiting Hatchard’s bookstore and library, where Hunt was drawn into a conversation with Emma and her children. Hunt was intrigued and attracted and took the chance to walk with Emma, Harry, and Georgie when the children begged to play with his dog. Hunt was puzzled by Emma’s coolness until later when it occurred to him that she mistook his intentions. I appreciated the fact that he called on her to apologize for the misunderstanding. He hadn’t been able to forget her and broached the subject of his search for a wife, and his belief that they would suit. Emma, being a practical woman, did not reject him immediately and agreed to them spending time together to pursue the idea. She never planned to marry for money, but taking care of her children is a priority.

I loved seeing them spend time together, and could see the feelings and attraction growing. There were some marvelous scenes of them together and with the children. At one point, Emma pulls back, believing that her (undeserved) reputation would do him no good. She quickly changes her mind when an unexpected visit from her father-in-law results in a threat to take her children away from her. Her visit to Hunt, begging for his help, was immensely moving. I loved Hunt’s protectiveness and care for Emma and his speedy solution to the problem. The scene at the wedding was priceless, as Hunt threw a wrench into Keswick’s plans.

Though Hunt and Emma are now married, there are still challenges to overcome before they get their happy ending. Hunt closed himself off emotionally after the deaths of his family and believes that he is too empty to offer his heart to Emma. Though Emma accepted the conditions of Hunt’s proposal, she isn’t so sure she can abide by them. I loved watching the development of this marriage. On the plus side from the beginning is the attraction between Emma and Hunt. The heat between them is intense, and both are enthusiastic about their physical connection. Hunt is a bit wary, as he feels himself wanting more than the emotionless bargain, and tries desperately to keep that distance between them. Though she had agreed to the “no love” stipulation, Emma quickly realizes that she is falling hard for Hunt. I ached for both of them as they worked through the things that were keeping them apart. I loved Emma’s courage as she took charge of her feelings. It took a near-tragedy for Hunt to be able to let go of the past and embrace the future that was waiting for him. He came through with flying colors, and his big moment with Emma was intensely emotional. I loved the epilogue, too, showing how different his life became.

There was a bit of suspense running through the book also. It began with Emma noticing someone following/watching her. Then there were the threats made by her father-in-law and his attitude toward her children. There were a couple of suspicious events, including a fire at their old house. But it was an attack by a supposed highwayman that put young Harry in the bullseye that exposed a deeper problem. There were some interesting twists and turns to the resolution of that issue.

The secondary characters were interesting. The two sets of parents were particularly horrible in their treatment of Emma. I liked seeing Hunt shut them down when needed, but would have liked something a little more drastic to make the point. Hunt’s sisters were something else too. I liked that Hunt was firm but kind when he dealt with them – they could be pretty obnoxious with their attitudes. I liked Hunt’s friends, the Cambournes, and have put their story on my want to read list. I loved Emma’s children, Harry and Georgie. They are realistically portrayed, and I enjoyed seeing their antics. Harry especially won my heart with his determination to take care of his sister and mother. I also loved seeing their effect on Hunt and how they helped him find the ability to love again.