Due to the financial circumstances her late husband left
her in, Lady Francesca Haughston has taken to playing
matchmaker to help stay afloat. After boasting she could
get anyone engaged, Francesca finds herself agreeing to a
wager with the Duke of Rochford. The deal is Rochford picks
the girl and Francesca has to successfully bring her out in
the Ton and ensure she becomes properly engaged to a
suitable gentleman.
As a poor relation, Constance Woodley has given up on any
dreams of getting married. Not only is she past the
marriageable age, but she's also without a marriage
portion. When Lady Francesca takes an interest in her,
Constance sees it as an opportunity to experience the life
she never imagined could be hers. Meeting Francesca's
brother makes the experience that much sweeter. She knows
she cannot fall in love with Lord Dominic Leighton, but
some things are inevitable.
Though estranged from his parents, Dominic Leighton knows
he has to marry well in order to save his family from
destitution. His father's even got a girl lined up for him,
one with a suitable fortune that'll fill the family coffers
once again. After meeting Constance thought, Dominic is
pulled in two directions. Does he do what's best for his
family, or does he follow his heart?
I loved this book. Yes, it's a story that's been told time
and time again. From Cinderella and beyond, everyone's read
a variation of the rich boy/poor girl theme. But it's not
in the story; it's in the telling, and Candace Camp does a
phenomenal job with THE MARRIAGE WAGER. Constance is a
wonderful heroine. I especially liked the fact that she
questions Lady Francesca's sudden interest in her, instead
of just accepting it. Ms. Camp brings her characters to
life and will have you falling in love with them within a
few pages of the book. I was sad when THE MARRIAGE WAGER
ended, but I'm quite intrigued by Lady Francesca's
character, and hope her story will be coming soon. In the
meantime, the second installment in The Matchmakers series
is THE BRIDAL QUEST, coming March 2008.
No longer in the first blush of youth and without a marriage
portion, Miss Constance Woodley could scarcely imagine why
one of the
leading lights of London society should take an interest in
the likes
of her. But under her benefactor's guiding hand she was
transformed into a captivating creature who caught the eye
of the
handsome, charming and ever-so-slightly notorious Lord Dominic
Leighton. And before the shocked eyes of the entire Ton, the
"nobody"
and the rakish viscount showed that even in the heartless
world of the
marriage mart, when love was at stake, all bets were
off . . .
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