Captain Fred Wheatly’s comfortable life on the fringes of Bengal comes crashing down around him when his mistress dies, leaving him with two children he never expected to have to raise. When he chooses justice over army regulations, he’s forced to resign his position, leaving him with no way to support his unexpected family. He’s already had enough failures in his life. The last thing he needs is … is an attractive, interfering woman bedeviling his steps, reminding him of his duties.
All widowed Clare Armbruster needs is her brother’s signature on a legal document to be free of her past. After a failed marriage, and still mourning the loss of a child, she’s had it up to her ears with the great lout of a captain who can’t figure out what to do with his daughters and the assumptions she doesn’t know how to take care of herself and what she needs is a husband. If only the frightened little girls didn’t need her help so badly.
Clare has made mistakes in the past. Can she trust Fred now? Can she trust herself? Captain Wheatly doesn’t need his aristocratic family; they’ve certainly never needed him. But with no more military career and two half-caste daughters to support, Fred must turn once more—as a failure—to the family he failed so often in the past. Can two hearts rise above past failures to forge a future together?
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It had many surprising elements I was not expecting.
My favorite character was little Meghal. I loved her curious nature and her love for hone and family. I especially loved how she could whip her Daddy, the soldier, back in shape.
The Reluctant Wife (Children of Empire book 2) by Caroline Warfield is a historical romance set in India and then in England in the mid 1830s. This book is rich in description of the country, political unrest, customs and prejudices during this time of English occupation in India. Interesting accounts of steamship and overland travel on the way back to England and well written characterization, especially of the children in the story, make for an absorbing and enjoyable read.
As always Warfield skillfully weaves a fascinating adventure, part fiction and part historical. I love the way she writes!Captain Fred Wheatley is left with two children to raise in a far away country. He had never thought he would have to do this alone. Then, he meets the beautiful widow Clare Armbruster. This is the only book of this series that I had not read, and now I’ve read it too. What a great book!
All good things come to those who wait. A very good read. But it is not a piece of fluff. It grabs you when you are not looking.
This is the first book I read by Caroline Warfield. It won’t be the last. I love the characters and the historical background against which they move. Really well done piece of fiction. I am off to buy the sequel.
It was an easy read but characters were not that realistic. Save your money.
Insight to life in India and how a strong woman can change a mans life.
Good book but I always like a romance
This was one of those books I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened but, by the same token, didn’t want it to come to an end.
Good story and characters
This is the story of Fred and Clare: Sometimes one must be forced to take responsibility for their actions. Even the best laid plans can have complications, and for these two this holds true. They each have their own plans for their life but fate steps in and causes a chance encounter for two people who are worlds apart. They each have pasts they aren’t proud of and secrets they want to keep. Who knew that a little emergency assistance on Clares part for Fred would throw her plans into jeopardy? The same can be said for Fred. Although they are each steadfast to carry out their own personal mission, they are both forced to compromise for the sake of both happiness and the good of innocents. This whole adventure taught both of them that one cannot judge their own worth accurately, because it may be seen as totally different in the eyes of others. A good story that was a pleasure to read. Thank you Caroline.
Slightly romantic
I enjoyed the book enough to continue reading the series.
I didn’t think I’d like a story that started in India as I’ve read some before but the story was different with a single woman being treated so horribly in the military wives’ groups. I enjoyed that the couple really had to wear each other down throughout the story. I loved the personalities of his daughters.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
Loved it.
This book is an example of why I love to read historical romances. It has romance, adventure and history lessons all rolled into one. The characters were dealing with similar situations within their families. But, they still considered themselves failures. Love can conquer all woes.
I really wasn’t impressed with the heroine at all. What she did and how she thought did not make sense to me much of the time. Same with the main male character
This book was intriguing from the first page to the last. It was well written and easy to read. I did not get bored with excess detail to things that didn’t really pertain to the story as there wasn’t any. I loved the characters. This story was wonderful and pleasant to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.
I loved how the author was brave enough and skillful enough to develop a not so likable hero. He had to grow on you. The heroine had her own problems and personality quirks to deal with, but a tender heart for children. The whole book is well written with charming secondary characters that will make you want to buy the next book in the series.