In one life-changing windfall, Rosamund Jameson goes from
struggling shopkeeper to heiress -- and co-owner of a new business. Not only
will her sudden fortune allow her to move her millinery shop to fashionable
London, but Rosamund will be able to provide her younger sister with a proper
entry into society. The only hitch for resourceful Rosamund is her arrogant,
infuriatingly handsome business partner...
Kevin Radnor is shocked that his late uncle, the Duke of
Hollinburgh, bequeathed half his company to a total stranger -- worse, a
beguiling beauty who can only hinder his enterprise. But Rosamund insists on an
active, equal partnership, so Kevin embarks on a plan: a seduction that will
lead to a marriage of convenience, giving Rosamund the social status she needs,
and guaranteeing him the silent partner he desires. Yet as this charismatic
gentleman sets his flirtation in motion, he begins to wonder who is seducing
whom -- and if he can learn to share himself body and mind, without losing his
heart...
Good book, and one that is very different than most
historical romances. The
Duke's Heiresses series is about three ordinary women
whose lives are changed by unexpected bequests from a duke. Each woman deals
with suspicious, angry, and disappointed relatives of the duke while making the
best of their new circumstances.
In this book, Rosamund overcame many challenges to become
a successful milliner. As the daughter of a tenant farmer left homeless after
his death, she entered service as a housemaid. Rosamund fell in love and was
seduced by the son of the house and booted out when his parents discovered the
affair. The only employment she could find was as a maid at a London brothel, where
a kindness to one of the working girls earned her the money to start her hat shop.
I liked Rosamund. She is intelligent, practical, and
strong-willed. After learning of her good fortune, she took the time to think
through her options and make plans. I liked that Minerva, from the first book
(Heiress for Hire), befriended her and helped her through the early days of her
inheritance. The one aspect she isn't quite sure of is the half-interest in a
business she knows nothing about. Her co-owner is intense, rude, and disturbingly
handsome.
Kevin is a brilliant inventor but socially inept. He says
what he thinks without trying to be polite about it. Kevin was horrified when
his uncle bequeathed his share of Kevin's business to an unknown woman. During
the year it took to track Rosamund down, Kevin could not move forward with his
invention. Now he plans to get her to sign her rights over to him, protecting
himself and his creation from any unwanted interference. Unfortunately for him,
his plans don't work out quite as he intended.
Kevin and Rosamund get off to a rough start. The first
thing he does upon meeting her is shove papers at her giving him control of her
half of the company. He is baffled when she refuses to sign them. It's his
invention, and he should be able to do things his way. Rosamund intends to look
after her interests, and she doesn't believe that Kevin knows how to run a
successful business.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Kevin and Rosamund. It was a slow one, going from enemies to friends to lovers.
Once Kevin realized that Rosamund was serious about being involved in the
business, he knew he must rethink his actions. As intense and determined as he
was, he was also an honorable man who refrained from attempting to intimidate
or browbeat Rosamund into doing things his way. Instead, he took the time to
get to know her and help her settle in and find ways to work together. Kevin
prides himself on his focus never having been compromised by a woman but soon
finds that focus splintered by Rosamund's proximity. He blames it on lust,
admiration, nearness - anything but growing feelings for her.
Rosamund ignores the sparks between them, as she has
plans of her own. Now that she has money and improved circumstances, she wants
to find her first love and show him that they can be together now. I ached for
her when she saw him and discovered that her dream man possessed feet of clay
and a cruel heart. Her heartbreak was evident, as was her disillusionment. I
liked how Kevin offered comfort and sympathy and reined in his desire for her. Rosamund's
pragmatic nature enables her to put it behind her quickly, and that same nature
encourages her to give in to her desire for Kevin.
Working together to move Kevin's invention forward
created some interesting situations. As a successful businesswoman in her own
right, Rosamund has ideas about the next steps to take. Unfortunately, Kevin's extreme
paranoia about protecting his invention causes him to refuse all of her ideas,
usually quite rudely. I loved that she doesn't back down and finds ways to make
him see reason. His fears of losing control of his company eventually lead him
to propose a marriage of convenience to Rosamund. Once again, their pragmatic
natures show themselves as they discuss the various pros and cons of marrying
without mentioning feelings.
Not long into their marriage, Rosamund's proactive steps
set off Kevin's anger yet again. This time, the accusations he flings at her,
and his cruel comments strike deep at her insecurities. I ached for Rosamund as
she fled her heartbreak. It takes a few days for Kevin to calm down and realize
his mistakes. I liked seeing him go after her but felt that more groveling was
in order before she should forgive him.
The Radnor family dynamics created some awkward
situations. The late duke's decision to change his will left most of his family
with shattered expectations, and they weren't happy about it. Kevin's Aunt
Agnes is very vocal with her fury while others settle for sly remarks and
innuendos. I liked how Rosamund handled herself at the family dinner - polite
but not intimidated. Kevin faced a much angrier group when they discovered his
plans to marry Rosamund. I loved watching him stand up to them all despite some
personal consequences. There are still questions about the death of the late
duke that will hopefully be addressed in the final book.
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