Nicholas Haddonfield has something to hide...
After a wild youth, Nicholas Haddonfield, Viscount
Reston, has promised his ailing father he'll finally take a bride, though doing
so will force Nick to make impossible choices and face old, painful wounds.
Leah Lindsey is glad to find refuge from her own
desperate situation in a marriage of convenience with the gallant viscount. But
soon convenience is not enough, and Leah can't understand why Nick remains so
distant. What is he hiding, and will he never allow her into his heart?
Good book. This is the story of Nicholas and Leah. Leah
is the sister of Darius, from the first book in the series, which takes place
at the same time as this one. Both Nicholas and Leah appear in that book, and
some things alluded to there are explained here.
Nicholas is a big man with an even bigger heart. Like
most men of his time, he had a pretty wild youth and has quite a reputation
among a particular group of ladies. He's lately tired of that life and has
spent more time with his ailing father, learning what he needs to know when he
becomes the Earl of Bellefonte. The earl's greatest wish is to see Nicholas
married. Nicholas knows he needs to marry, but there are reasons he doesn't
want to have a typical marriage.
Leah is a woman with a past. A scandal years ago has put
her firmly on the shelf. Her father, a nasty, vicious man, hates her and can't
wait to marry her off. He has the perfect candidate - one of his cronies. Lord
Hellerington is a randy old goat who has buried three wives. Leah is unwilling,
but her father's threats against her brothers keep her in line. All she wants
is to marry someone she can love and who will love her.
Nicholas and Leah met one evening when both tried to
escape an uncomfortable Society function. Nicholas was pursued by two women
determined to capture him, and Leah was avoiding her father's choice for her.
The room was dark, and neither could see the other, making it easier for them
to talk. Leah's story raises Nicholas's protective instincts, but without
knowing who she is, there's no way for him to help her. Before they part ways,
they share a kiss that neither one can forget.
When they meet again, and Nicholas learns who she is, he
is determined to find a way to help her. He finds ways to spend time with her
and quickly comes to realize that she may be the answer to his problem. Nicholas
can marry Leah, satisfying his father's wishes, while at the same time protecting
her from her father's plans. He feels guilty about offering her a platonic
marriage, knowing that most women at least want children from their unions.
However, Nicholas is adamant that he will father no children, with her or
anyone else. Though she has reservations, Leah accepts his proposal.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nicholas
and Leah. There is a connection between them from the beginning that neither
one can deny. I liked how easily they were able to talk to each other about
anything, as long as they stayed away from Nicholas's reasons for staying out
of Leah's bed. It doesn't take long for Leah to realize that she loves Nicholas.
Unfortunately, getting him to reveal his secrets is an uphill battle, and one
she isn't sure she can win.
Meanwhile, Nicholas's feelings for Leah grow stronger, as
does his guilt. There were so many times I wanted to shake him and tell him to
talk to her already. I ached for them both when they parted because it was so
hard to be together under their current circumstances. I had to laugh at
Nicholas because of the way he handled the separation.
The whole family knew that Nicholas and Leah were meant
to be together, but getting through to Nicholas was much harder than anyone
expected. I loved how his grandmother finally sat Nicholas down and got him to
talk to her. Nicholas's shock when he discovered that he'd been wrong about his
reasons for not having children left him speechless, then determined to return
to Leah as quickly as possible. I loved their reunion, which was as sweet and
intense as I expected. Even better was how Nicholas revealed that devastating
secret he had kept for sixteen years. I ached for his pain, loved the big heart
and sweet nature that showed the depth of who he is, and cheered for Leah's
reaction. The icing on the cake was their visit to her brother Darius and the
revelation of the secret he had kept.
I loved the importance of family in this book and series.
I liked how Darius and Trent supported Leah when she needed them, and her
determination to do what she must to protect them. Nicholas's love for his
family was evident in everything he did. Even though he and his father had their
differences, the love and desire for what was best were still there. He also
loved his sisters and their families and was fantastic with the children. A big
part of this book was also the reconciliation between Nicholas and his older,
illegitimate brother Ethan. They were the best of friends as children and teens
until they were driven apart by the earl. I liked seeing the steps they took to
return to their old relationship. I also enjoyed seeing Nicholas confront
Leah's father about his treatment of Leah and the things that Nicholas found
out. I thought he got off rather easy, but it was still satisfying to see him
get even a fraction of what he deserved.
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