Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could find a way to be . . . widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. What could possibly go wrong?
Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who he is when she marries him - and she most certainly never expects to bump into her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be together... until actual death do they part?
Georgiana is the eldest Caversteed daughter. Her father made their family’s wealth in shipping and left the bulk of it for Georgiana to manage. Every man who has asked for her hand has bulked or declined after reading the terms of her marriage contract. It seems they were only interested in her coiffeurs. When her cousin tries to force himself on her, she takes matters into her own hand. She’ll marry a condemned prisoner and be a happy, wealthy widow….. only the man she marries is working undercover for Bow Street, and a second son. Oh, my…. I laughed, swooned and became completely caught up in this tale.
Bateman did a fine job of sharing the Bow Street Bachelors stories, particularly that of notorious rogue Benedict Wylde. Benedict is penniless and trying to help his brother restore their families’ coiffures. How does a penniless rogue convince an heiress he cares about her and not her assets?
Georgiana is headstrong, fearless and knowledgeable when it comes to finances, business, and the shipyard, but she knows nothing about men and love. Seeing these two work out an arrangement, grow close and ultimately fall for one another was delightful.
Bateman brought heat, tender moments, character growth and tugged at my heartstrings. The relationship felt genuine and I couldn’t help but wish for a happily ever after.
Secondary characters from Georgiana’s sister, her admirer and his poetry added interest. Even the cheeky informant added to the tale and left me grinning. We got to meet the other bachelors and I confess I am looking forward to their stories.
Beverley A. Crick was delightful as the narrator. I thought she did a fine job with all of the voices, but really captured Georgiana. This was my first time with her and will look for other works she has narrated. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Reading updates
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Started reading
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21 November, 2019:
Finished reading
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21 November, 2019:
Reviewed
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Started reading
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21 November, 2019:
Finished reading
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21 November, 2019:
Reviewed