Baron Rothewell leads a self-destructive lifestyle;
drinking, whoring, and gambling. Even knowing that he may be
cutting his life short, he continues terrorizing his
servants and worrying his few remaining family members. His
guilt over past behavior drives him to seek his own
destruction.
Until one night, when he is gambling with the dregs of
society and a young woman is offered as part of the pot.
Camille Marchand reminds him of someone else. Her dilemma
tugs at the few heartstrings he has left; despite his desire
not to be involved, he joins the game and takes her home.
Camille Marchand has never known the true identity of her
father. While the Comte Valigny claims her, her mother was
married before running away with Valigny. Now, her mother is
dead and she discovers some papers which offer a hope she
never had before; a hope for a new life without poverty, if
she can only find an English gentleman to marry her.
She comes to London but finds that the Comte is not accepted
into society. She is not able to meet a man who will wed her
until the night of the game with Baron Rothewell. Baron
Rothewell rescues her and takes her to his cousin until he
and Camille can decide if they will wed.
As Rothewell learns more of Camille, he finds himself drawn
to her but the status of his health is a concern that makes
him reluctant to offer marriage.
Events lead them inexorably to marriage with both of them
resolving to keep their heart intact. Life has a way of
gumming up the works. Camille finds that marriage is much
more interesting than she could have imagined. She and
Rothewell will have to overcome many obstacles which keep
them from complete happiness.
While the plot is nothing new, the harshness of the life
lead by the Baron, his brother and sister growing up brings
a sympathy for a man who would seem to deserve none. I found
Camille to be the most interesting character even though the
ghosts that drove the Baron were attention grabbing.
One little sub-plot thrown in at the last moment didn't
really add much to the story, in my opinion and I was a
little disappointed to see it brought in.
Shunning the glittering elite of high society Kieran, Baron
Rothewell,
prefers the dangerous pursuits of London's demimonde.
Hardened by a
tormented past, he cares little for anyone or anything. So
how can he
resist the wager proposed by the dissolute Comte de Valigny?
A hand of
cards for the possession of the comte's exquisite daughter.
Will he win her heart?
Abandoned by her highborn father -- until he decides to
use her --
Mademoiselle Camille Marchand puts no trust in an
aristocrat's honor,
especially that of the notorious baron. She too is gambling
-- for her
life -- and Rothwell is just one more card to be used. But
whatever
dark desires run through his veins call to her own, and the
heart plays
its own game -- winner take all!
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