A gruff scoundrel helps a scarred beauty blossom in this steamy Regency romance by the award-winning author of With Love in Sight. Lady Emily Masters has harbored a secret infatuation for the dashing Malcolm Arborn, Viscount Morley, since a childhood accident claimed the life of her twin brother and left her own face scarred. But when fate brings them together again for her brother’s wedding, … again for her brother’s wedding, she is dismayed to find instead of the brave gentleman who sheltered her after the tragedy, a surly rogue quick to quip and slow to trust.
To the cosmopolitan and haughty Malcolm, few engagements could possibly be more punishing than attending his friend’s country wedding–until the groom requests he watch over his timid sister during the weeks leading up to the ceremony. Fearful of her scar making her the center of attention to the visiting lords and ladies, Emily proves to be a difficult charge for the irascible bachelor.
Her diffidence an insult to his sensibilities, he finds a new purpose within his role: to bring out the bold woman within. But how can such a gentle creature as Emily abide his own coarseness? At odds with their natures, will these two willful souls be able to look beyond their past hurt to build a promising tomorrow?
“Irresistible . . . Britton’s historical romance is deeply gratifying.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
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I read the first book in this series and really liked it but this book has something special about it that made me like it even more. The scars both emotional and physical make these characters more relatable. Their vulnerabilities are shown as part of who they are and that they are not weak but very powerful when they rely on each other. Malcolm and Emily’s beautiful love story will have you smiling in the end.
Lady Emily Masters has harboured a secret infatuation for the dashing Malcolm Arborn, Viscount Morley since a childhood accident claimed the life of her twin brother and left her own face scarred. To Malcolm, few engagements could possibly be more punishing than attending his friend’s country wedding, until the groom requests he watch over his timid sister before the ceremony & afterwards at the house party.
Malcolm sees the real Emily behind the scar & uses all his arsenal of barbs & jibes to bring out the passionate strong woman who’s hidden so long but in doing so he finds his emotions being awakened. I loved Caleb & Imogen’s story so was looking forward to this book & it didn’t disappoint. Another accomplished novel from the author, the characters are very well fleshed & likeable apart from Lydia. The story was well paced & I was loathe to put it down. Malcolm & Emily were both injured in different ways so how they grew to like each other , to fall in love & to heel was endearing. I welled up when on describing Emily Lady Beezleton added the scar as an after thought. I look forward to more books by the author especially as there are more Masters siblings & of course Tristan.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Promises
Malcolm wanted to say no, he really did, but his best friend pleaded and gave his trust in him to say yes. Malcolm said yes and found that the shy, quiet, scarred sister of his friend didn’t need a protector, but someone to challenge her and basically…push her buttons. As Emily begins to change, so does the wall around Malcolm’s heart. When a woman from his past turns up with lies and innuendo, they both must learn to trust in love. This a winner from start to finish with a box of tissues.
The Viscount’s Promise is author Christina Britton’s second historical romance. It follows With Love in Sight and builds on the relationships between the same characters. The Viscount’s Promise utilizes the tortured hero and tortured heroine tropes and, like With Love in Sight, with a bit of the “Ugly Duckling” thrown in.
Lady Emily Masters suffers from a badly scarred cheek after a childhood accident in which her twin brother was killed. She remembers the handsome Malcolm Arborn (Viscount Morley) carrying her home. Years later, they meet again. She is dismayed to find that he has become a surly rogue, quick to quip and slow to trust. He, in turn, feels that since her accident she has allowed her family and friends to walk all over her.
At this point, their miscommunications and distrust of each other becomes repetitious. As in With Love in Sight, the plot thins here. When Emily chases Malcolm to London and forces her way into a ball, the ton suddenly accepts her as she strides in, head held high, she suddenly blossoming into a new woman.
This one picks up from where the last one left off and will guessing just like in the last one. He saw what she needed that no one else did and brought out a side of her that had long been hidden. It is not love at first sight after all these years for either one. The twists of who is trying to push them together wasn’t a shock, but the twist to it was. I was holding my breath in the end because of who was trying to keep them apart. There are many parts that will have you laughing and parts that will take your breath away.
Emily is just as stubborn as her brother, but it has been hidden for a long time. I was so glad to see her get her own story because I knew there was more to her. She didn’t realize that she was as strong as she was and that she hid behind her scare.
Malcolm is straight to the point and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He is one that you need to get to know to fully understand and love. But once you learn everything about him you will love him like crazy.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review