Olivia Rathbourne endured 10 years of hell as a possession
of her collector husband. After Lord Rathbourne meets with
foul play, Olivia is finally free of the brutal control he
wielded over every aspect of her life, and she has every
intention of taking advantage of her freedom. The reading
of his will makes Olivia feel as if he's reaching out from
beyond the grave to maintain his control over his young
wife. Olivia is challenged to complete three of Lord
Rathbourne's collections in order to receive her
inheritance; otherwise all she will receive is a small
living allowance. Determined to be free of her husband's
dictates forever, Olivia accepts the challenge. After 10
years of the enforced seclusion that was her marriage,
there is only one person Olivia can turn to to aide in her
quest.
For years Sterling Harrington, Earl of Wyldewood, has
hidden behind the protection of his station in life. An
earl must be responsible and steadfast. It wasn't proper
for an earl to have adventures and take risks; that was
more for Sterling's younger brothers, Quinton and
Nathaniel. An earl must live up to his responsibilities.
But Sterling failed miserably at what should have been a
primary responsibility a decade ago. Believing himself
betrayed by the woman he loved, Sterling ignored her
letters and created a life without her. Now Lady Olivia
Rathbourne is a widow and once again in need of Sterling's
help.
Unwilling to let down the love of his life a second time,
Sterling finds himself relegating his duties to his middle
brother and setting off for Egypt (the land of snakes!)
with Olivia, a handsome young solicitor, and his mother.
Sterling will use their adventure to show Olivia they can
once again have what they'd lost. Olivia, however, is
focused on gaining her freedom. Having been under the rule
of one overbearing man, she's not sure she's willing to
trust another one with her heart, even the man she loved
all those years ago.
Victoria Alexander's DESIRES OF A PERFECT LADY is
the second story of the Harrington brothers and my favorite
of Ms. Alexander's stories to date. Sterling and Olivia are
very likable characters, playing well off one another and
the various men and women they encounter in their treasure
hunt. As always, the reader is drawn effortlessly into the
world of lords and ladies and delightfully interfering
families. There's plenty of intrigue, too, as we're left
with the unsolved murder of Olivia's husband and the
ominous plotting of unknown thieves. Quinton's story
promises to be every bit as entertaining!
Star-crossed lovers get a second chance in the latest
installment of #1 New York Times bestselling author
Victoria Alexander’s series, where the never-ending quest
for adventure leads three brothers to the greatest treasure
of all: love.
A secret list of the desires of Lady Olivia Rathbourne:
Disregard convention
Follow my heart
Bed the Earl of Wyldewood
A decade ago, Olivia had expected to marry the Earl of
Wyldewood, only to have happiness stolen from her before his
ring could be placed upon her finger. Now he stands before
her, as proud and arrogant and handsome as ever, vowing to
rescue her. Well, he's got some nerve turning up after all
these years. Where was he when she needed him?
As for the earl, scandal has never touched him nor has
impropriety ever besmirched his name. But his penchant for
doing the expected does have his family calling him, well,
dull. Isn't it time to flaunt society's conventions and do
what he's always wanted? And first on his list: Olivia in
his bed—with or without a wedding.