MARRY IN SCARLET

A marriage of convenience leads to love between a duke and a woman who never intended to marry.

After the Duke of Everingham, known to his friends as Hart, was jilted at the altar, the aunt of his supposed-to-be-bride offers up a different niece instead. At first Hart declines, but as he learns more about Georgiana Rutherford, a headstrong young heiress who simply wants to live in the country with her dog and horses, he decides she would make a decent match. George, however, tells herself she's not interested in the cold, arrogant duke. Her body says otherwise though, as she yearns for his kisses and touch. When the two are caught in a compromising situation, Hart announces their betrothal. George is furious at first, but as they grow to trust and appreciate each other, true feelings develop. For the most part, the conflict is low stakes and the story is character driven. George is spirited and smart, while Hart starts out insufferable. He believes all women are devious, and that “love was a delusion that women used to control men.” Thankfully, his relationship with George leads to a change of heart. After their marriage near the end of the book, the story suddenly becomes plot heavy as they deal with the mystery of a missing, possibly kidnapped, boy. It’s a jarring change, but the story is exciting and gives readers a bit more time to enjoy Hart and George as a couple.

Uneven yet pleasantly frothy and quaint.