"Very pleasant completion to the Brides of Bath series."

An outspoken and plain woman with no dowry, Sally Spenser has grown comfortable as an unmarried woman. She compensates for a lack of suitors by bestowing her affection on the two motherless children of the man she's loved all her life. It breaks her heart to see their father neglecting them, wallowing in self-pity and grief since losing his cherished wife in childbirth.

George Pembroke, Viscount Sedgewick, buries himself in liquor and gambling. He refuses to look at his son, whom he blames for the death of his beloved wife. As he comes closer to financial ruin and self-destruction, George's sisters band together and confront him about his dismal behavior. A sliver of guilt engulfs George and he agrees to find someone to care for his children.

George decides a marriage-of-convenience is the answer and his choice is Sally. Who better than a spinster who adores his children and has no prospects? Sally won't expect affection or love from him, and she'll be very grateful. George has no clue how this managing female is going to change his life.

This is a very pleasant Regency with a dollop of mystery. Ms. Bolen completes her Brides of Bath series with each story a good stand-alone novel. However, readers not familiar with her work are given interesting tidbits involving previous books, which they'll wish to read.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted February 1, 2004