"Fine Regency romance"

Ian knows he is an idiot for dueling with Lord Paige over cuckolding the man's wife as killing or being killed is not worth what could happen to his mother and sister if they lack his protection. Paige fires early but misses. Ian fires at a tree, but the bullet ricochets and hits a fifteen year old bystander. Feeling guilt, he takes Troy Reshow into his home and brings the lad's sister Attie to his house explaining an accident happened during target practice.

Attie thinks Ian is a hero with his treatment of her ailing sibling. However, Ian is stunned when he realizes the pint sized Attie is nineteen and needs a chaperone to stay with him. Ian's mom says he must wed her. Carswell says Ian must wed her. Butler and valet make it clear that Ian must wed her. Her stepbrother Spartacus arrives and says Ian must wed her. Finally his sister Dorothy arrives and says she does not need to wed him as she can stay with her. Ian knows what he must do as he wants to wed Attie, but fears her reaction when she learns the truth about the duel. He also worries that someone wants to hurt Attie and Troy.

This Regency romance contains a powerful cast starting with the strong lead couple and ably supported by a fabulous ensemble. The suspense comes late as much of the tale is focused on Ian feeling guilty while Attie worships her champion. Though the culprit is too easily stopped, fans will appreciate this fine historical tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 30, 2005

From the award-winning author of A Perfect Gentleman comes an enchanting tale about an imperfect earl and the picture- perfect woman who teaches him that love is always worth fighting for.

Summary

If only he could go back in time. Then Ian, the Earl of Marden, would not have dueled, and he would not have hit an innocent bystander—a sickly lad, no less. And he certainly would never have brought the boy's sister, Athena Renslow, to stay at his house without a chaperone. Now, on top of it all, the nineteen-year-old beauty is under the mistaken impression that Ian is the gentle hero who rescued her brother—instead of the rogue who practically killed him... Unable to find her a respectable duenna, Ian resolves to do the honorable thing. But Athena won't let the wealthy, handsome bachelor sacrifice everything by marrying a country nobody, despite the urgings of both their families—and the desire of both their hearts...