"She Says Yes"

The Earl of Granby is used to having his own way with women. He is quite the rake and discards mistresses as quickly as he acquires them. He thinks women are totally untrustworthy. On his way to visit the stables owned by Sir Hardwick, he is almost run down by a stallion ridden by Catherine Hardwick who is a bruising rider. Catherine is not interested in marriage even though her father is insisting she go to London for a season. She thinks men are totally untrustworthy and would just as soon stay in her small village. Granby finds the headstrong Catherine lovely as well as fascinating but can two people who find the opposite sex so untrustworthy find something to trust and love in each other?

Granby stays in the neighborhood for awhile hoping to purchase a stallion from the Hardwick stables. He can't keep his eyes from the beautiful Catherine and after stealing a kiss or two, he leaves Catherine completely befuddled. Catherine is reminded of her friends that have such unhappy marriages so isn't too sure she can trust the handsome earl with her heart but the attraction grows between the two.

Although this story line has been used before in regency novels, Ms Waddell has a few twists and turns to make it interesting. The earl is a very sensual man who is very confident in his prowess and power over women and when he awakens Catherine's sexuality, she wants more. HE SAID NO has a lot of sexual tension and hot romance along with good dialog and interesting characters. If you enjoy historical novels you are sure to enjoy this one by Patricia Waddell.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted January 22, 2004

Summary

It was only a kiss, but it was a kiss that neither one of them could ever forget. While riding her father's best horse without his permission, Catherine Hardwick crosses paths with Norton Russell Foxhall, the earl of Granby. In return for keeping her secret, Granby demands a kiss, thus confirming Catherine's impression that he is nothing better than a worthless, arrogant, all-too-handsome-for-his-own-good rogue. Soon Granby puts his search for a beautiful woman who isn't interested in marriage on hold as he tries to coax another kiss out of the infuriatingly unforgettable Miss Hardwick, while Catherine finds her intention to tell Granby to save his charms for some dim-witted debutante who might actually appreciate them is thwarted by her desire for another taste of the sinfully sensual nobleman.