When he becomes seventh Earl of Danecroft, rakish John Fitzhugh Wyckerly also inherits a crumbling estate and massive debts. Determined to do right, he reclaims his illegitimate daughter Penelope and heads to London in search of a very rich wife. Abigail Merriweather’s farm has been quiet since she lost custody of her four young half-siblings-until a roguish gentleman named Fitz stops for a rest, … rest, his rebellious daughter in tow. His etiquette is questionable, his parenting deplorable-so why does Abby delight in his flirtations? And when she seeks a suitor to help her regain the children, why does Fitz keep popping up?
more
John Fitzhugh Wyckerly (Fitz) inherits an earldom and with it a crumbling estate and huge debts. Feeling the weight of his responsibilities, he retreives his illegitimate daughter and starts on a journey to get his one asset a race horse. Abigail Merryweather has a farm which has become very lonely since her half siblings were taken from her because it was not legal for a single woman to raise children by herself without a man. When Fitz and his daughter seek shelter with Abigail, they decide to go to London together when Lady Belden arrives to inform Abigail of her inheritance. Unfortunately, it is not enough for Fitz to save his property – he needs a rich wife, and Abigail needs someone to help her get her siblings back. This pair have a lot to experience and overcome to find their HEA. The steps getting them there are worth the reading journey.
What a read it was, so witty, funny and romantic too.
I do think I’m in love with Fitz, he is such a wonderful man, he made do all his life, relying only on his wits and adaptability, always finding a way to get through what always life throws on his path. Never he gives up. While he knows he might seek after a heiress, he can’t shake out the idea that his Rhubarb girl is the one for him. His thoughts processes is incredible, he never despairs, he solves everything as if it is a mind game. And he is always his charming self, even when he must face bankruptcy, run after his hellion of a daughter or do some gardening to put a roof over his head….
With Abby he is so protective and caring, trying to find a way to rescue them from their own predicament, but the only thing he can’t agree is to give up on her and their potential future.
Plus despite the errors he made in his past, he really wants to be a father for Penelope, I do adored how he deals with her antics, never belittling her nor mocking her and even more praising her.
Abigail has always known what it is to love and be loved, why she can’t stand to be separated from her siblings, even distressed she tries to find a way to get them back. Why she accepts to follow the dowager marchioness of Belden in London, hopeful to seek out how to win her sisters and brother’s guardianship but at the same time she feels so ill at ease among the ton, only comfortable around Fitz even if he lied by omission about whom he is when they first meet.
It was such an entertaining and enjoyable read, at every turn of a page, something comes up, and while Fitz and Abby’s life’s are turned upside down, they never lose their wits nor hopes.
A lot of things happens, so many it is impossible to sum them up but I adored to read this witty story.
It’s cute. The story is pretty cute, honestly, even with the word “Wicked” in the title. The heroine is suitably plucky while still actually being moderately accurate for the time period. The hero is handsome, in need of the heroine’s help, and not a morally bankrupt person who leaves you wondering why horrible men end up with wonderful women? There’s not awkward consent issues. There’s the standard miscommunication, desperate search party, and rain-soaked outfits. It’s cute, quick, and fun. Just nothing spectacular.