As one of the world's richest heiresses in 1880, the lovely Francesca Winthrop could have almost anything in the world she wanted. Clamped down for most of her life by her mother's rule about how life was to be lived, all she craved was to live a normal quiet life with a garden and an amiable husband. Maybe, a little bit of freedom and a chance to translate her beloved European fairy tales. That was all and she even found what she thought was the perfect man, her good friend, Randolph to marry.

With her life planned in her head, she had little choice of having that happen if her mother had anything to do with it. Oh no! Nothing but the very best for her daughter and that includes setting her up with an arranged marriage with an English Duke! His title and centuries old bloodline intrigued her mother and what better way for an American family to obtain it than by marriage.

For William Chambers, Duke of Bedford, the only thing that would force him to make an ocean crossing with its bilious effect on his stomach and mind to marry, sight unseen, some vapid American hothouse social climber was money. After the death of his father, the Duke had been shocked to find out the extent of his father's huge debts, primarily incurred by gambling. Left with little choice or face the ruin of his titled estates, he attempted to hide the true nature of his journey. After all, duty was everything, even if it meant he had to marry this "Frosty Franny".

When Alva Winthrop goes full steam ahead to make sure the wedding goes on, Franny's father assures his daughter that she can come back to America if she has a child, Franny decides to do everything possible to make that happen, including using the tricks she reads about in a French courtesan's diary. For his part, the Duke finds out about Randolph and assumes that the only reason Franny needs to get married so quickly is because she is pregnant. No way was he going to get ensnarled by that scam!

This is the first time I have read a book by Donna MacMeans, however, I sure intend to rectify that quickly and look forward to reading her other books, especially The Education of Mrs. Brimley that tells the story of the arrogant Bedford's younger brother, Nicholas. A masterful storyteller with a wicked talent for double entendres, you will love this story of how this unusual couple finds the real person behind their preconceived impressions of the other. The dialogue between the characters truly sparkles with witty bon mots and your will be compelled to read on to find out how Franny plans to seduce the Duke with her fascinating fans and sexy corset. This is one book I wasn't willingly to put down as I just had to keep turning the pages! A truly solid gold Victorian romance!