She was given two choices...
Georgiana Bridgerton isn't against the idea of marriage.
She'd just thought she'd have some say in the matter. But with her reputation
hanging by a thread after she's abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two
options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her
life.
Enter Option #3
As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is
prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he's close
to completing his medical studies, and he has no time -- or interest -- to find
a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton -- his literal
girl-next-door -- is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.
A Marriage of Convenience
It might not have been the most romantic of proposals,
but Nicholas never thought she'd say no. Georgie doesn't want to be anyone's
sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more
than childhood friends... or could they?
But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they
discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes
marriage. But after that comes love...
Fun friends to lovers romance. Nicholas and Georgie have
known each other all their lives. They grew up on neighboring estates, and
Nicholas was her brother Edmund's best friend. Nicholas's parents are Georgie's
godparents as well as her parents' friends. So when Georgie ends up in the
middle of a scandal, through no fault of her own, her godfather comes up with
what he thinks is the perfect plan.
Nicholas is attending the university in Edinburgh, nearly
through with his medical studies, when he receives an urgent message from his
father. Nicholas is to return home immediately, though he is given no
explanation. Expecting the worst, Nicholas hurries back to discover that his father
has a most unusual request for him - marry Georgie and save her reputation.
Nicholas is understandably stunned and none too happy. He has no time for
marriage thanks to his studies, and besides, Georgie is almost like a sister to
him. Well, okay, maybe not a sister, but he's never thought of her that way.
Meanwhile, Georgie despairs of her future. Thanks to
Freddie Oakes' attempt to force a marriage by abducting her, her reputation is shredded.
Her choices are to marry him or not marry at all. An unexpected third option is
almost as bad. Married because a friend feels sorry for her is too terrible to contemplate.
I felt terrible for Nicholas during his conversation with
his father. He has seen his two brothers marry for love and be happy, yet his
father expects him to make a loveless marriage. He understands the reason, but
he has other plans for his immediate future. However, he promises his father
that he will think about it. That evening, the Rokesbys have dinner with the Bridgertons.
This was one of the best scenes in the entire book. Thanks to that conversation
with his father, Nicholas finds himself looking at Georgie differently. He notices
her wit and beauty, and especially how easy it is to talk to her. He is
surprised by her genuine interest in his studies, and their subsequent
discussion was hilarious. It also made Nicholas think that maybe marriage
between them could work after all.
However, marriage is not a foregone conclusion. Nicholas
has accepted the idea, but now he has to convince Georgie. I ached for Georgie.
Nicholas's attempt at a proposal was awkward and wasn't helped by the presence
of her two young nephews. She was furious at being thought an object of pity,
someone that Nicholas had to be coerced into marrying. She barely let him get a
word in as he tried to talk to her before he stormed off in frustration. Georgie
is an intelligent woman, though, and once she gets past her injured pride, she looks
honestly at her options. Her decision is further helped along by the arrival of
an unexpected and unwelcome visitor. This was another funny scene that showed
how well Georgie and Nicholas were suited.
The development of their relationship is a slow one,
rooted in their friendship, and without any significant conflicts. Georgie is
fascinated by Nicholas's work and endlessly curious about it. She is not the
least bit squeamish and takes every possible opportunity to make herself useful
to him. Nicholas is impressed by her intelligence and curiosity. Their journey
from their homes in Kent to Edinburgh is full of laughter and growing
attraction. There is a little strain between them when they reach their destination,
thanks to their living arrangements. I liked how Georgie took matters into her
own hands to solve the issue, and that Nicholas supported her actions. There is
a bit of a scare at the end that highlights their love and trust in each other.
The epilogue was a nice peek into their future together.
I also enjoyed the glimpse of Edmund and Violet's
marriage. It is a little bittersweet, knowing what the future holds for them. At
this point, they have only three of their eight children, but the descriptions
of those three show that their personalities formed early. I think I will have
to reread the original Bridgerton series before the TV series begins.
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