With her family on the brink of bankruptcy, Alexandra
Bolton concedes to her drunken father to welcome the
courtship of a local squire. Alexandra resigns herself to
sacrifice herself to a loveless marriage to an older man in
order to provide for her younger sisters. At a ball,
Alexandra catches sight of a gorgeous man who astounds her.
She never before believed in love at first sight, but she
tumbles head first in love with the Duke of Clarewood. It
is a passionate love, not like her first love many years
ago when Owen was her best friend and their feelings grew
over time. Alexandra knows this could be the prince who
saves her.
Stephen, the Duke of Clarewood, molded himself into the
image of his late father. Stephen wanted approval from the
stern man but never received it. Their relationship was
complicated. Stephen was not the duke's biological child,
but he accepted Stephen as his heir. Stephen accepts his
role and performs his duties exceptionally well, except
entering into marriage with a proper debutante. He
postpones it until he can come to terms with finding an
alliance that will enhance his properties. When he catches
sight of a beautiful woman in an out of fashion gown,
Stephen sees his next mistress.
It is obvious she desires Stephen, but Alexandra rejects
his advances knowing he will never offer marriage. Stephen
refuses to be denied and begins a ruthless pursuit that
could destroy Alexandra.
Ms. Joyce shines in her latest de Warenne novel. She has a
flair for delivering dramatic scenes and vivid characters
that fully engage readers. The secondary characters and
storylines add richness to this thoroughly enjoyable tale.
With her mother's passing, Alexandra Bolton gave up on love
to take care of her family. Now, with the Bolton name in
disgrace due to her father's profligate ways, marrying an
elderly squire might be the only way to save her family
from absolute ruin. But when she meets the infamous Duke of
Clarewood, old dreams — and old passions — are awakened as
never before. Yet she cannot accept his shocking
proposition!
He is the wealthiest, most powerful peer in the realm, and
having witnessed the cold horror of marriage as a child, he
has vowed never to wed. But Alexandra Bolton inflames him
as no woman has ever done, and she also serves him his
first rejection! Now Clarewood — who always gets what he
wants — will choose which rules to play by. But when
passion finally brings them together, a terrible secret
threatens to tear them apart….
