One Night for Love: A Novel (Bedwyn Saga)

by Mary Balogh

One reckless man . . . One passionate woman.


Enter the world of Mary Balogh—the glittering ballrooms and vast country estates of Regency-era England, where romance, with all its mystery, magic, and surprises, comes vibrantly alive.

It was a perfect morning in May . . .

Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar—when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her—regardless of the gulf that lay between them.

Then Lily spoke her mind . . .

She said she wanted only to start a new life—wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than . . . One Night for Love.

• ISBN10: 0440226007
• ISBN13: 9780440226000
• Publish Date: 13 July 1999 (first published 1 January 1999)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780440226000

Reviews

[Angie]

One Night for Love was so sweet! It all starts with Lily heading to Newbury Abbey. The couple dropping her off seems quite concerned about the fact that she's just going without giving anyone notice. When she arrives and runs straight into a wedding, it becomes clear why. She's the groom's wife! Neville has thought Lilly was dead these past two years, and has never mentioned his one night marriage to his family. Everyone is shocked, needless to say. But even more shocking was that Neville didn't even hesitate to claim her and resume their marriage!

I adored One Night for Love from the very beginning. Lily is no lady. She is the sweet and innocent daughter of Neville's late Captain. She was raised in the military and given freedom to be herself. She knows nothing of the ton or etiquette. She can't even read or write. Lily doesn't let this stop her from living life to the fullest though. Even after her time as a hostage with an awful man. She's like a breath of fresh air for those who accept her. Of course, Neville's mother and other family members aren't too happy with her appearance which makes Lily resuming her marriage very difficult.

One Night for Love is a second chance romance, and one that was done very well. There are flashbacks of Neville and Lily's short time together. But the focus is on them getting to know each other again. Neville wants nothing more than for Lily to be his wife as she is, but she's uncomfortable in this world. I loved watching Lily work hard to improve herself for herself! Not for Neville, not for his judgemental mother, and not for his very accepting spinster aunt. Lily knows there are experiences that she missed out on during her unconventional upbringing, and she's eager to have them now. If that makes her a more suitable bride for the love of her life, that's just a bonus.

One Night for Love just made me very happy. Neville and Lily are so in love, even though they are so different. There is also a small, light suspense plot. Someone is very unhappy about Lily's return and is trying to kill her! It's mostly in the background and is solved and dealt with in one page, but it was still enjoyable. Especially since it had a happy ending.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.