Georgianne Whitley’s beloved father and brothers died in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. While she is grieving for them, she must deal with her unpredictable mother’s sorrow, and her younger sisters’ situation caused by it.Georgianne’s problems increase when the arrogant, wealthy but elderly Earl of Pennington, proposes marriage to her for the sole purpose of being provided with an heir. At … heir. At first she is tempted by his proposal, but something is not quite right about him. She rejects him not suspecting it will lead to unwelcome repercussions.
Once, Georgianne had wanted to marry an army officer. Now, she decides never to marry ‘a military man’ for fear he will be killed on the battlefield. However, Georgianne still dreams of a happy marriage before unexpected violence forces her to relinquish the chance to participate in a London Season sponsored by her aunt.
Shocked and in pain, Georgianne goes to the inn where her cousin Sarah’s step-brother, Major Tarrant, is staying, while waiting for the blacksmith to return to the village and shoe his horse. Recently, she has been reacquainted with Tarrant—whom she knew when in the nursery—at the vicarage where Sarah lives with her husband Reverend Stanton.
The war in the Iberian Peninsula is nearly at an end so, after his older brother’s death, Tarrant, who was wounded, returned to England where his father asked him to marry and produce an heir.
To please his father, Tarrant agreed to marry, but due to a personal tragedy he has decided never to father a child.
When Georgianne, arrives at the inn, quixotic Tarrant sympathises with her unhappy situation. Moreover, he is shocked by the unforgivable, brutal treatment she has suffered.
Full of admiration for her beauty and courage Tarrant decides to help Georgianne.
Editorial reviews
Funny, Spirited, Satisfying 5*
J. Pittam “Maythorn” (Hertfordshire, England
The twists and turns of the plot, the misunderstandings and the simmering emotions lurking just beneath the surface of the two main characters, keep you reading to the end and never wanting it to finish. I understand there will be more in this series. I can’t wait! I give it five stars all the way. Super book, well-crafted, wonderful descriptions, very intricate plot and amazingly accurate language of the time. I can’t recommend this book enough. You’ll love it!
Bookwormvlm “V. L. (Lynne) Murray”
more
We first meet Georgianne Whitley when she is just fourteen years old, and as the Sunday’s Child of this enchanting series by Rosemary Morris, she is already bonny and blithe. While staying with her cousin, she sets eyes on Lieutenant Rupert Tarrant, an upright, handsome cavalry officer that she considers is perhaps the sort of man she might like to marry when she becomes of age. But, by the time they meet up again in 1813 when Georgianne is 17, her whole world and outlook has changed. Mourning the loss of her father and brothers who died in the battles with Napoleon, she now cares for her distraught mother who is unable to overcome her grief and wallows in self-pity, causing distress to Georgianne and her two sisters. Georgianne has sworn off military men, vowing not to become involved with a soldier, as they cause too much sorrow for their womenfolk.
Tarrant, now a Major, has been severely scarred by unfortunate events. The woman he loved lost her life and that of her baby when giving birth. To protect Georgianne’s good name he offers her marriage, and although enchanted by her beauty and strength of character, he cannot bear the thought of putting another woman through that trauma, thus fighting his growing attraction to his wife.
As in all Rosemary Morris’s Regencies there is a dastardly villain set on revenge at all costs. He doesn’t take into account Georgianne’s skill with a gun, or her tenacity in the face of evil. This is a delightful story, packed with all the details of the period we would expect from this skilled author. I look forward to reading more of her books and highly recommend this one.
After turning down a proposal of marriage from the Duke of Pennington, a man old enough to be her grandfather, Georgianne Whitley instead agrees to wed Major Tarrant, an officer recently returned from the continent. Despite that, the Earl is not dissuaded and poses a threat to Georgianne and her sisters. Georgianne is a strong, take charge heroine who can ride, shoot a pistol and handle the reins of a phaeton as well as any man, and Major Tarrant is dashing, compassionate and considerate. Together they make a formidable couple. This entertaining book is well written and easy to read and has it all, from kidnappings to glittering ballroom scenes. Sure to be enjoyed by readers of Regency romance of all ages, particularly those who will appreciate Ms. Morris’ grasp of all things Regency.
Rosemary Morris’ delightful series comes to its day of rest with no rest in sight for its beleaguered but relentlessly cheerful heroine. Georgianne faces her first season grieving for her killed-in-battle father and brothers, an alcoholic mother ready to marry her of to predatory earl, and feeling responsible for the welfare of her two younger sisters. Enter friend and soldier with his own war wounds and a marriage of convenience. Watching these two and their friendship deepening into love while they face troubles and dangers will warm the hearts of sweet Regency period Romance fans! I’m hoping the delightful little sister Babs gets her own book…she sparked up every scene she was in!