The last thing Theo Townsend ever expected was to inherit
an earldom, along with a remote castle. It seems like a
godsend for Theo, who wants somewhere secluded to
basically hide away since he returned from the war
injured in both body and mind. What Theo didn't expect
was that his three siblings would insist on coming to
live with him, refusing to leave him to his much desired
solitude.
Theo arrives to find that the castle is inhabited by
Annabel Lockhart and her aunt, who was married to the
late earl's brother. They are living there on the late
earl's charity. Since neither of them has anywhere else
to live, they are determined to stay, and actually hope
to drive Theo and his family away. Theo is equally
adamant that they will not stay, though he plans to
finance a small living for them elsewhere.
Annabel was orphaned and passed from relative to
relative, never really wanted anywhere. The castle is
the first place that has felt like home to her. There is
also another secret that she's keeping from the new earl,
and it makes her even more determined to stay in this
sanctuary.
Despite their initial antagonism toward each other, Theo
and Annabel begin to feel attraction. When Annabel's
secret is revealed and she needs a hero, Theo steps up to
the plate and shows the true kind of man he is. Yet, his
feelings of unworthiness and his sense of not being
"whole" any longer cause him to push Annabel away and put
an end to their love that had just begun.
I knew right from the beginning of this book that I was
going to like Lily Maxton's writing. I loved Theo and
Annabel along with their well meaning relatives. Theo's
feelings over his injuries were realistic and poignantly
portrayed, as was Annabel's feeling of being unwanted.
The romance is sweet and steamy, and I loved every minute
reading ENCHANTING THE EARL.
Llynmore Castle is the only place Annabel Lockhart has ever
considered home. For years, she’s been able to live as she
wished, freely roaming the wild moors. Now there’s a new
earl, as arrogant as he is handsome, and he wants her out.
But if he thinks she’ll go quietly, he’s in for a surprise.
Theo Townsend returned from war a changed man. After
unexpectedly inheriting an earldom and a secluded castle in
the Scottish Highlands to go with it, he thinks he’s found
the perfect place to hide from the world—until he arrives to
find a spirited, beautiful woman already in residence. He
can’t just throw her out, but surely there's a way to get
her to leave on her own. The sooner she's gone, the better,
especially when he realizes there’s more than just mutual
dislike between them.