A simple will -- yeah right. Her grandfather's will left May
Coleridge the only home she ever knew but
now it seems that a centuries old clause, part of an old
family tradition of sorts, mandates that she be married by
the age of thirty. Now, with her birthday just about a month
away with, there are no immediate prospects on the horizon.
Adam Wavell has a crisis of his own on his hands. His wild
sister, Saffy, has left him her baby, Nancie, with a sketchy
note alluding to the fact that they must hide from her
boyfriend. The baby is being sought by the boyfriend
and his family for custody and so he couldn't bring any
attention to her whereabouts by hiring a nanny. Saffy
instructed him to ask May for help.
May, Saffy, and Adam have a complicated relationship. As
teens, May and Saffy formed a rather incongruous friendship
considering their vast social differences. May has spent her
life trying to maintain a certain image to please her
family. In actuality, May cared much more for the underdog
than herself, taking in strays and wounded animals even when
faced with financial difficulties. When May found
herself in rather precarious spots, somehow Adam would
appear to save her -- a real life hero.
The last person Adam wanted to ask for help was May. His
memories of her only brought a sense of betrayal and
humiliation. When their paths crossed, he was angry at the
icy reception from her. His hands were tied, though, so he
set out to wheedle some deal for help with Saffy's baby even
if it meant contacting May. As luck would have it, Adam
didn't have to beg as hard as he thought since he found May
in a state over the imminent loss of her home. In fact the
solution he came up with would have an added benefit --
revenge for his humiliation at the hands
of May and her grandfather. There was nothing convenient
about this arrangement for either May or Adam. Both
have harbored secrets from each other for years and the
pain went deep. Keeping indifferent facades was a means of
protection against further shame or humiliation -- but at a
huge cost.
Fielding's book was filled with quirky, humorous banter
between two characters with seemingly nothing in common --
well except for love. But they were absolutely the last to
know that so the ride was at times rocky, funny, and
tugged at your heartstrings. The fact that the story takes
place in Britain gives it that added touch of British
humor.
May Coleridge must marry before she's thirty to inherit her
family home and keep her new business afloat.
Adam
Wavell comes from a long line of wastrels—but he's turned
his life around. He's a corporate success story and a pillar
of the community. Only, now his flaky sister has left him
with her screaming baby!
A deal must be done.
May will help Adam with his niece if he'll answer her
SOS!