Returning from India
To a forbidden liaison…
Joshua Ashburton hasn't seen his brother for years and
heads straight to his London town house. A ball is underway filled with the
cream of society, including one Lady Elizabeth Hummingford. Captivated by her
vitality and sparkle, he's shocked to learn she's all but engaged to his
brother! It's a loveless, convenient match, but how can Josh persuade her she's
chosen the wrong brother when he's set to return abroad?
Good book. Leo and Josh Ashburton's parents died when
they were very young. Leo was taken in and raised by his great-aunt, a cold,
emotionless woman who refused to take Josh and keep the brothers together. A
family friend took Josh and gave him a loving home. Unfortunately, that home
was in India, creating a years-long separation. As the book opens, Josh arrives
in England for the first time in more than twenty years. Though they wrote
letters during the intervening years, Josh can't wait to see Leo and
immediately heads to his London home. He's dismayed to see a ball taking place
and goes to the garden to wait for the right time to approach Leo. There he
meets the lovely Lady Elizabeth.
Beth escaped the ball to hide in the garden, avoiding
facing Leo. An understanding between Leo and her late father has Beth all but
engaged to him. Her father's death and massive debts put Beth, her sister, and
her mother in dire financial straits, and her mother pressures Beth to push the
engagement forward. Leo feels honor-bound to follow through on his promise
though he doesn't wish to marry just yet. Beth doesn't want a loveless match
but believes she has no choice.
I loved the first meeting between Josh and Beth. Josh and
Leo look enough alike that Beth mistook him for Leo at first. There was an
immediate connection and attraction between Beth and Josh, but they fight it. Thanks
to Leo's extreme reluctance, Josh and Beth frequently find themselves thrown
together. Unfortunately, Beth's shrewish and selfish mother keeps the pressure
on Beth to bring Leo up to scratch. The more time they spend together, the
deeper the feelings grow between Josh and Beth. I liked how Josh's attention
helped Beth find some of the strength she needs to stand up to her mother. I
especially enjoyed the theater fire scene and Beth's determination to help.
In a terrific scene at the beach, Josh and Beth finally
give in to their feelings for each other and plan their future together. I
ached for Josh, who didn't want to hurt Leo but felt both of them deserved love
in their lives. Leo impressed me with his frank talk with Josh, and I had high
hopes for Josh and Beth's future. Then disaster struck with Beth's younger
sister Annabelle. Beth's mother pushes all the buttons that work on Beth's
guilt, and suddenly they are right back where they started. I hurt for Josh,
who is brokenhearted and ready to run back to India, and I wanted to shake Beth
for not standing up for her own needs. When Beth discovers how far her mother
is willing to go to get her way, she realizes the depth of her mistake. I loved
seeing Beth in the position of begging for Josh's forgiveness because of what
she did. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue showed a bright outlook for
their future.
Though Leo often comes across as cold and unfeeling, his
interactions with Josh show otherwise. When Leo, Josh, and Beth visit the great-aunt,
her attitude explains a lot. I liked Leo's willingness to follow through on his
promise while ultimately allowing Josh and Beth to reach for their dreams.
Another glimpse into Leo's true self came during his interactions with Beth's
sister. I liked how he stepped up to help at the end.
A mystery surrounds Beth's sister Annabelle, who never
leaves their home in the country. I ached for both of them with the revelation
of their history and loved that they were so close. Their mother is selfish,
snobbish, and manipulative, and deserves more trouble than she ultimately
receives. 
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