"Fun nineteenth century romance"

His father informs him that is health his failing and he needs to marry to insure he has an heir so Viscount Philip Whitmore leaves his study of Egyptian relics to come home. Meredith Chilton-Grizedale arranges the match of the year between Philip and Lady Sarah Markham. However, Philip informs Sarah of the curse in which she just met the first two steps, one in which a peer's beloved died, and step three is death two days after the marriage. Sarah elopes with someone else while his and her fathers blame the matchmaker.

To recoup her shattered reputation, Meredith must find a bride for the most unmarriageable person in the Ton, Philip. As she tries to find the right woman, he works on removing the curse. Soon Meredith and Philip fall in love, but he believes in the curse so nothing can come of their feelings and besides which someone wants him dead.

Though the curse seems at first nonsensical, the story line makes it feel real leading to a fun nineteenth century romance. The story line engages the audience as the lead couple falls in love, but dare not defy the curse. The intrigue of someone trying to kill Philip comes across as genuine vengeance and adds suspense to the tale, but also takes readers away from the prime delightful theme of will she take this man or not?

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 15, 2003

Summary

The Wedding of the Year... Philip Whitmore, Viscount Greybourne, has survived desert sandstorms, unearthed treasures of ancient cities, and defeated knife-wielding grave robbers. But when it comes to something as ordinary as getting married, Philip discovers that it's not so easy. He's been cursed after discovering an ancient stone tablet that dooms any woman foolish enough to marry him. Somehow, his fortune, title and dashing good looks no longer seem appealing -- and his carefully selected society bride has left him at the altar. The Scandal of the Season Beautiful Meredith Chilton-Grizedale is determined to find Philip his perfect wife. The abruptly terminated "Marriage of the Season" was going to make her reputation as the Matchmaker of Mayfair, so now it's up to her to find someone to marry the most unmarriageable man in England. Yet from the moment she meets the mysterious viscount, Meredith finds herself falling for a man she should not love. With an ominous curse over their heads, risking her life for passion would be madness indeed...