A marriage of convenience . . . or of destiny?

Gerard de Lacey is determined to find the man who is blackmailing his family, but with his inheritance and status at risk, a hasty marriage to a wealthy bride also seems in order—just in case things take a turn for the worse. Charismatic and capable, Gerard knows he can win the hand of any lady he chooses. Still, he's not expecting a rich widow to find him and propose the very thing he wants: a marriage of convenience.

Katherine Howe's first marriage was one of dreary duty. Now that she's being pressured to marry her late husband's heir, she's desperate for a better option. Gerard de Lacey, with his sinful good looks, charming manner, and looming scandal, fits her needs perfectly. The fact that she's nursed a secret affection for him only makes it better—and worse. Because Gerard will likely marry her for her fortune—but can he love her for herself, as she loves him?

Series: The Truth About the Duke (Book 2)

Review

A man desperate for money and running from potential scandal, a woman desperate for freedom—a match made in heaven.

Gerard de Lacey is on a mission to locate the man behind the mysterious letters that threaten to expose his father’s scandalous secret. He’s also looking for a wife, a rich one, to provide him with plenty of funds in case the worst of the threats come to pass. Katherine Howe is seeking a savior. She wants a man to wed her and take her away from the evil influence of her mother, and her first husband’s nephew and heir. Gerard fits the bill. He’s a glass of whiskey— quick to go down, leaving a scorching trail across your insides, and Katherine has long known, regardless of his reputation, he’s a gentleman with a backbone. She’s determined that love matters naught. The only thing she needs is the chance to get away from the current influences in her life, but when these two get close the desire to be with each other starts stoking more than just the fires of passion.

I loved this story! Linden creates such wonderful characters, good and bad ones. I always enjoy stories with well-written characters. Katherine is the waif. She’s been pushed aside by a self absorbed mother and treated in a second class manner all her life. She’s played the dutiful daughter and wife for a long time. Yet, a marriage suit from her husband’s zealot heir is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It’s a wonderful journey watching the real Katherine emerge under Gerard’s influence and presence. The transformation is astounding, and her character’s weaknesses are a prime example of verbal abuse over time.

In the opposite corner you have Gerard. He’s plagued with the duty of tracking down the blackmailer, and with the added responsibility of a new wife. The additional duties don’t seem too bad in Gerard’s mind, but his wife needs a bit of support. Plus, whether Gerard wants to admit it or not he needs Katherine’s support. The looming scandal could drive a man insane unless he has someone to talk to. Gerard also has difficulty dealing with big emotions, and this issue drives a carriage filled with a bunch of slowly emerging problems between him and Katherine. Add in a horrible mother in-law, who makes Lady Jersey look like the nicest woman on the planet, the zealot heir determined to get retribution for Gerard stealing his bride, and you have a wonderful story that keeps pages turning. In a way this story was like a damsel in distress tale, and in return the damsel did a little rescuing of her own.

Overall, if you want something that has love forming in unplanned situations and enjoy a heroine coming into her own then this is the story for you. Honestly I can’t wait for the final book in this series, as the last of the De Lacey’s meets his match!

Reviewed by Landra

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