"Entertaining Regency romance"

Christine Derrick was married to Oscar for seven years, but their happiness together ended when he began accusing her of trysts. Now a widow of two years, Christine never goes to social events for she does not want to run into her in-laws, who for the most part think she cuckolded her spouse.

A close friend Lady Melanie Renable forces Christine to attend a two week gala. At the party, Christine is treated with polite contempt by Oscar's family with a few exceptions. Lonely guest Wulfric Bedwyn mourns the death of his mistress of ten years. Following a lemonade incident, he finds himself shockingly attracted to Christine who ignores his ducal title as she just wants to go home to hide in her corner. As they hang together as party outsiders or as much as a duke can remain aloof from others, they fall in love, but there remains the wager that substantiates what her in-laws believe about the capriciousness of Christine.

This is an entertaining Regency romance though the condemnation of her in-laws based on rumor fueled by Oscar seems off kilter. The story line is fun to follow as both the lead characters have reasons to leave. The support cast enhances the tale by how they behave towards the Duke and the fallen woman. Fans will appreciate this delightful tale, but insist that a certain close male friend find his happiness soon.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 4, 2004

Summary

All of London is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Wulfric Bedwyn, the reclusive, cold-as-ice Duke of Bewcastle, at the most glittering social event of the season. Some whisper of a tragic love affair. Others say he is so aloof and passionless that not even the greatest beauty could capture his attention. But on this dazzling afternoon, one woman did catch the duke?s eye?and she was the only female in the room who wasn?t even trying. Christine Derrick is intrigued by the handsome duke?all the more so when he invites her to become his mistress. What red-blooded woman wouldn?t enjoy a tumble in the bedsheets with a consummate lover?with no strings and no questions asked. An infuriating lady with very definite views on men, morals, and marriage, Christine confounds Wulfric at every turn. Yet even as the lone wolf of the Bedwyn clan vows to seduce her any way he can, something strange and wonderful is happening. Now for a man who thought he?d never lose his heart, nothing less than love will do. With her trademark wit, riveting storytelling, and sizzling sexual sparks, Mary Balogh once again brings together two polar opposites: an irresistible, high-and-mighty aristocrat and the impulsive, pleasure-loving woman who shows him what true passion is all about. A man and a woman so wrong for each other, it can result only in the perfect match.