Rebellion drove Mercy Rutherford to Scotland to escape the possessive grip of her fiancé. But it’s fate that lands her in the crumbling highlands castle of Lennox Caitheart. A dreamer with visions of inventing airships, he’s most certainly mad. Handsome beyond words, he’s also causing an irresistible flutter in her stomach beyond reason. When Gregory arrives to see their arranged marriage to its … its bitter end, Mercy desperately turns to Lennox with an offer of her fortune—and her hand in marriage.
The Earl of Morton has a reputation for being a daredevil eccentric, but even he is hesitant to engage in such a rash proposition—no matter how utterly beguiled he is by the wildly independent American heiress. And yet, with so much at stake, how can he possibly say no? But when their unconventional union grows into a passionate and inseparable love, more than Gregory’s obsession threatens them. Now, Lennox and Mercy will have to risk more than their hearts to save it.
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When Mercy Rutherford runs away from her pampered and privileged life in New York and goes to find her mother’s family in Scotland, she never could have imagined how life changing her spur of the moment decision would be.
Mercy’s mother was worried about her mother and sister in North Carolina after the civil war, she learned that their home had been destroyed and they were destitute, so she sent funds to them, only to have them returned to her with the news that her mother and sister had returned to Scotland to live with her mother’s brother. Mercy seized the opportunity to get away from her over protective parents and her unwanted fiancé.
Mercy’s trip to see her aunt and grandmother was completely uneventful, until the last few miles, when an airship crashes into their carriage and injures both Mercy and her maid Ruthie. The incredibly handsome, not to mention rude and arrogant, pilot of the ship, Lennox Caitheart comes to their aid. He carries Ruthie to his castle to tend her injuries, he tells Mercy to wait with the carriage and he will send help. She watches him leave and then follows. He has set Ruthie’s arm and tends Mercy’s wounds. They talk and both make apologies, she is intrigued by him and he her, until he learns who she is.
Mercy is shocked by Lennox’s abrupt change upon learning who she is and is even more surprised when he basically kicks her out of his home. On the ride to her family’s home, she learns that Lennox’s brother and her Cousin Mary were in love and eloped, but they were both killed in a carriage crash and her family, the Macrorys have placed the blame on the Caithearts. When she finally arrives at her great uncle Douglas’ home, she realizes her mission of “mercy” was unnecessary – her grandmother’s brother is wealthy. Her reception is not what she expected and her grandmother is hostile and unwelcoming. Her aunt Elizabeth is more welcoming, but she will not go against her mother for Mercy’s sake. Her grandmother basically tells her she is not welcome and must go, Mercy argues that she cannot leave until Ruthie is better, but resigns herself to returning home.
Lennox Caitheart, the new Earl of Morton knows he was rude to Mercy, but he was shocked to learn who she was. He is still grieving the loss of his brother and the huge changes in his life. Before Robert died, Lennox was studying to be a doctor. But all that changed when he became the earl, he left school and returned home to discover that the Macrorys had interfered with several business deals that Robert had established and that he is penniless and has a rundown castle to support. He has become a hermit and supports himself by selling his inventions. His only passion is working on his airship. But when his interfering housekeeper Irene, suggests that he send a note to Mercy, he grudgingly agrees.
It is days before their paths cross again, and this time, it is Mercy who comes to the rescue. They again talk and exchange apologies, Mercy is nothing like Lennox thought she was, she is kind, considerate and beautiful. He is surprised how much he wants her, but it can never be, she is rich and her family is his enemy.
Mercy learns that her father is on his way and knows her time in Scotland is almost up, but when a surprise guest in the form of her “won’t take no for an answer” fiancé Gregory arrives, Mercy finally begins to stand up for herself. After a tense and violent exchange with Gregory and Lennox, Mercy makes a decision and asks Lennox to marry her. He refuses, he cares for her, but his pride will not let him accept her money and he has no way to support her. When her father finally arrives, it appears that Mercy is out of time to change his mind and accepts that she will have to return to America. She bids him farewell and returns to her great-uncle’s house with her father.
Lennox is heartbroken, but still clinging to his pride. Irene talks to him and he finally realizes the gift he had in Mercy, but is it too late??
This was great story with truly likeable and relatable characters, a lot a emotion, some laughs, a little bit of steam, a lot of character growth, a lovely secondary romance, some surprises, a couple of twists and turns and finally a grand, romantic gesture leads to a very sweet HEA. This book is the second in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title. I loved this book and would happily recommend it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher. *
To Wed an Heiress by Karen Ranney is book Two in the An All for Love Series. This is the story of Mercy Rutherford and Ross Caithart. This can be a standalone book.
Mercy is running away from a fiancé who is very controlling. Mercy along the way meets Ross who some think he not all there but he works on inventions. When her fiancé comes for her..she makes a deal with Ross for him to take her money for his protection. A deal is struck but will this have a different ending?
Enjoyed their story.
Never a bad read from Ranney. Loved these characters and plot. Can’t wait to read the next.
Wealthy American heiress Mercy Rutherford ventures to Scotland to escape her controlling, grasping fiance, Gregory, and the immovable plan her loving, but overbearing, parents have made for her life. Upon arrival she meets with an accident that leads to a developing friendship of sorts with her family’s neighbor Lennox Caitheart, the Earl of Morton. (The blurb has him named Ross, but he was Lennox in my ARC). Mercy soon learns that her Scottish family is horrible and Lennox isn’t insane as she first thought, but rather he is a genius, and very lonely, inventor. Despite the feud between their families, Lennox and Mercy develop a tentative friendship that could develop into more, but given the threats of Gregory and his obsession with Mercy, as well as her family’s rigid expectations for her future, there may be too many obstacles to overcome in order for them to be together.
In Lennox Ms. Ranney has created a lovely brooding hero, which I’m a huge fan of. Lennox is lonely and reclusive, but is a good man just trying to preserve his family’s legacy. He doesn’t quite know what to make of the American heiress just learning independence and he challenges her to change her thinking.
Mercy’s family was just awful. I kept expecting some sort of redemption or justification there but none ever came; it was rather an anticlimactic ending on that front. I kept expecting someone to stick up for Mercy, but no one ever did except Lennox, which just made him an even better hero. I was frustrated by Mercy’s failure to stick up for herself, especially at age 28, even after she’d decided to make changes and started to voice her own opinions; it’s like she kept regressing. Despite that, I still liked her and the book overall, especially Lennox as a refreshingly outspoken hero who also showed growth and development.