A pretend proposal
For the unconventional heiress
When American heiress Violet Wilkins crosses paths with
William, Duke of Charteris, she has extremely low expectations of the
"Duke of Bore." But when this seemingly stuffy aristocrat offers her
escape from a dreadful arranged marriage, she leaps at the chance! To her
surprise, the arresting William whisks Vi into an exhilarating make-believe
romance. And as she gets to know the man behind the title, she can't help
wanting more...
Terrific book with fantastic main characters, intriguing
secondary characters, and sumptuous settings. As the last of the Wilkins
sisters unmarried and her parents back in America, Violet believes she is
finally safe from her mother's matchmaking. With no intention of marrying
anytime soon, Violet prefers to concentrate on her photography and dream of
joining the Photographic Society of London. A husband would only interfere with
those plans. Unfortunately, she receives a letter from her parents, detailing
their intention of betrothing her to her father's business partner, a man considerably
older than she is.
William, Duke of Charteris, grew up knowing his duty to
his land and his people. His serious, sometimes stuffy attitude earned him the
nickname "The Duke of Bore" by some debutantes. During a trip to
Egypt, William learned the benefits of balancing work and play, allowing
himself to have fun and relax. Though he knows he needs a wife, he's not quite
ready to take that step.
When they meet, William and Violet feel unexpectedly
comfortable with each other. When Violet overhears another woman plotting to
trap William into marriage, she knows she must warn him. When she confesses
that she knows how it feels to be trapped, William suggests an unusual
collaboration. If they enter into a fake engagement, each will be protected
from others' machinations. They can end things when they are safe.
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship
between William and Violet. Though they seem like such opposites initially -
Violet is the bold, independent American, and William is the reserved and
serious Duke - they turn out to be perfect for each other. Violet helps William
find his sense of fun, and William provides Violet with the desire to tone down
some of her boisterousness. One of the things I loved about William was his
complete support of Violet's photography. Several fantastic scenes show how he
makes it possible for Violet to meet people who can further her interest. At
the same time, Violet helps William see the world from a different perspective.
He finds himself more willing to go along with Violet's suggestions. Though
they enjoy each other's company, they begin their fake engagement convinced
that a real relationship would be impossible, with Violet being all wrong as a
duchess.
When Violet, her sister and brother-in-law, and William
become part of the wedding entourage of Prince Alfred and the Grand Duchess
Maria, they are whisked off to opulent St. Petersburg and the Russian Winter
Palace. The more time they spend together, the more the attraction they felt
began to grow, and the more each begins to think "what if?" Violet
worries that she'll somehow cause a scandal, but William is there by her side
to boost her confidence. But Violet's fears and desire to do what she thinks is
best for William make her pull away from him, just as William realizes the
truth of his feelings for her. His big moment at the end comes as he saves her
from danger, and Violet finally believes she can have it all.
I enjoyed Violet's work as a photographer. Her passion
for the subject leaps off the page, from creating the perfect pictures of her
subjects to learning new technology to talking to other photographers. The
vivid and detailed descriptions of her actions conveyed the complexities
without feeling like a lecture. I loved her joy in finding a kindred spirit in
Prince Alfred and her excitement in being invited to take pictures of the bride
and groom.
I also loved the use of historical figures and events in
the book. The journey from London to St. Petersburg, via Paris and Berlin on
the elegant Royal train, made me feel part of the story. The descriptions of
the stay at the Prussian court in Berlin, with all of its hidebound stuffiness,
made me ache for Princess Vicky. The arrival at St. Petersburg and the
over-the-top opulence of the Winter Palace were so vivid I could easily picture
each scene. I adored the scenes with Violet and the Grand Duchess, as they
showed Violet's talent for bringing out the best in her subjects.
I can't wait to read Rose's story. 
For the unconventional heiress
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