Lady Loretta's father has arranged for her to marry the
son of le Duc de Sauerdun, the dashing Fabian, Marquis de Sauerdun. Knowing
that it is usual amongst the French and British aristocrats to arrange
marriages for their children, Loretta is still horrified at the idea of
marrying someone she has never seen or does not love.
Loretta sneaks away to Paris to plead with her cousin to
arrange a meeting with Fabian de Sauerdun without him knowing who she is. It
was a breathtaking scheme, but Lady Loretta's only hope of escaping the
marriage her father demanded was to prove to the stubborn Peer that dashing
Fabian, was a notorious and unrepentant rake. And indeed he was -- but she
finds him quite different to what she expected, and Fate had its own plans for a
spirited English beauty and a noble Knave of Hearts!
Classic Barbara Cartland - super-innocent heroine tames incorrigible
rake while attempting to avoid an arranged marriage to that rake. This one was
a little better than most because the heroine showed a fair amount of backbone
and initiative.
Loretta was horrified when her father told her that he
and his friend had arranged for her to marry his son. She's never even met the
man, plus her father had promised her a Season. She wants a chance to find a
man she can love. Nothing she says dissuades her father from his plan. When he
leaves their estate for a week, Loretta knows what she has to do. Years
earlier, Loretta's married cousin scandalized Society when she ran off with a
married man. The couple lives in Paris, and Loretta sneaks off to stay with
them, hoping to meet her proposed fiancé without him knowing who she is.
I thought that Loretta was brave but also very naïve to
undertake such a journey without knowing if she would be welcome at the other
end. She was fortunate that Ingrid was willing to help her. Her description of
Fabian and his reputation made him sound just as bad as Loretta feared. Ingrid
was prepared to introduce Loretta to Fabian but warned her of Fabian's
"Pied Piper" effect on women.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Loretta and Fabian. It was easy to see the connection they felt from the
beginning. Loretta was fascinated by Fabian and the world he showed her. She
tried to keep him at a distance, but he broke through her walls every time.
Fabian was equally intrigued by Loretta. Though introduced to him as the married
Lady Brompton, there was an air of innocence about her that he couldn't resist.
As they spent time together, Loretta saw a different side
of Fabian than the rake she was warned about. He always treated her with
kindness and respect. He took her places he thought she would enjoy and put her
before his own desires. Fabian was also very protective of her. There was a
very intense scene when one of his rivals abducted Loretta. I thought that
Loretta handled herself quite well, and Fabian's arrival was the finishing touch.
But though they declare their love for each other, Loretta panics at Fabian's plans
for their future. She's overwhelmed with guilt at her deception and flees back
home, heartbroken at leaving him behind.
I enjoyed the ending. Fabian, of course, chases after
her, still unaware of her true identity. Their conversation was eye-opening for
both of them. I especially enjoyed Fabian's shock at their fathers' plans for
them, which made him more sympathetic to what Loretta did. I had to laugh at
what they decided to do and would love to have seen their fathers' reactions.
This book reminded me somewhat of Cartland's Desire ofthe Heart, one of my favorite books by this author.
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