Series: Brides for Bachelors (Book 2)
“I have just announced our betrothal.”
The Marquess of Rawcliffe has always found his feisty childhood friend Clare Cottam enthralling. Forbidden by her strict father to pursue a relationship, he’s kept his distance. But the couple is embroiled in a heated argument that puts Clare’s reputation in danger, and Rawcliffe is forced to declare her his fiancée! It will be his pleasure to tame his independent, innocent bride…
Good book. The story opened with Clare on her way to take up a position as a companion after the death of her father left her homeless and penniless. The last person she expected to encounter at the coaching inn was her nemesis, the Marquess of Rawcliffe. They had been childhood friends, but a misunderstanding over a proposal drove them apart, leaving each feeling humiliated. In the years since then, Rawcliffe has delighted in provoking Clare's temper. This time was no different, except that Clare's temper erupted into the physical when she punched him in the nose. Unfortunately for her, it was witnessed by many people. To save her from scandal, Rawcliffe announced that they were engaged.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Rawcliffe and Clare. The scene at the inn was amusing. Rawcliffe had developed his snarky teasing as a way of protecting his heart because he had never stopped loving her. Clare always reacted strongly as a way to hide the fact that she was in love with him for years. The possibility of scandal gave Rawcliffe the perfect opportunity to get what he has always wanted - Clare as his wife - not that he was ready to tell her that. Clare didn't want him to feel forced to marry her and tried to talk him out of it. But it didn't take too much convincing for her to decide that she could get her wish to be his wife, and hope that he would come to care for her.
When Rawcliffe took Clare to London to stay with Lady Harriet (The Major Meets His Match), he was devastated by the news of the death of a close friend. Rawcliffe and his friends were investigating the theft of some jewels and Rawcliffe was certain that Thomas's death was no accident. He was pretty sure that Clare's brother Clement was involved, and realized that his marriage to Clare gave him an unexpected chance to investigate further. The downside was that he feared Clare would think that was why he married her. The guilt he felt over this had him blowing hot and cold whenever he was with Clare. Sometimes he would be kind and considerate, reminding Clare of the boy she knew and loved, and then he would turn around and be cold and disdainful. The physical passion between them was intense, but then Rawcliffe would coolly and calmly walk away afterward. This behavior frustrated and confused Clare, who tried her best to be the wife that Rawcliffe said he wanted. There were times that her temper got the best of her, and I loved seeing her let go, making it clear to Rawcliffe that she was ticked.
I ached for both Clare and Rawcliffe as he carried out his plan to use Clare to investigate Clement. Clare was moved by Rawcliffe's taking her to see her brother, even though she knew he didn't like Clement. But Clement's words and actions made Clare suspicious of her husband's motives. As Rawcliffe's investigation progressed, he realized that he was caught between a rock and a hard place. If he pursued his suspicions, he took a chance on alienating the woman he loved, but if he didn't, Clement would get away with murder. I was truly impressed with Clare, who except for one brief moment, handled the discovery of the truth very well. I loved how she took the little bits she learned and put them together into an accurate picture of what was going on. Their big moment on the cliff, as truths were revealed and feelings shared, was fantastic.
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