Series:
Wallflower Academy (Book 3)
A wallflower breaks free…
Only to fall hard -- for the duke!
Adventurous, free-spirited Sylvia Bryant has no intention
of entering the London marriage mart -- she plans to return to Antigua and her
mother, whom she was forced to leave. But first that means breaking free from
her prison of a finishing school! Only when she makes her daring escape, the
last thing she expects is to literally land in a duke's lap! Now Sylvia and
Theodore are forced into an engagement, which Sylvia certainly doesn't want to
make permanent. Yet if their union is just for show, why does her attraction to
Teddy feel dizzyingly real?
Good book. Sylvia has been at the Wallflower Academy for
several years. She was sent there, not because she was a wallflower but because
she didn't fit into her father's expectations. She was born in Antigua and forced
to leave her mother to go to England. Determined to avoid the London marriage
mart, she plots her escape from the Academy and return to Antigua, never
expecting to find herself engaged to a duke.
Teddy Featherstonehaugh was doing a favor for a friend
when a beautiful woman jumped into his carriage and attempted to convince him
to aid in her escape. No matter what he says or does, she talks over him, refusing
to give up her plan. Her plans are foiled when the headmistress, Miss Pike, finds
her in the carriage in an awkward position. Miss Pike declares her compromised
and insists that Sylvia and Teddy marry.
Neither wants to marry, but they recognize they are in a
tough spot. After a short private discussion, Teddy and Sylvia agree to an
engagement for their own reasons. Being engaged to Teddy frees Sylvia up for
visits to London, enabling her to make arrangements for her voyage to Antigua
without interference. Teddy, who isn't really a duke, can use Sylvia's help in
his search for the identity of his father.
I enjoyed the development of Teddy and Sylvia's
relationship. Both are illegitimate and know what it feels like to be an
outsider. I loved how they found it easy to talk to each other and share their hopes
and fears. Their conversations are fun, with neither one afraid to be honest
with the other. I laughed at Teddy's frequent state of befuddlement around
Sylvia, often losing his train of thought. Neither expected the sparks of
attraction or the feelings that grew between them.
But until Teddy knows who he is, he cannot ask Sylvia to
marry him. Unfortunately, once his identity is confirmed, Sylvia's fears keep
her from accepting her heart's desire. It takes a great deal of effort for
Teddy to overcome those fears, but the results are fantastic when he does. The
story doesn't end there. I loved seeing Teddy and Sylvia continue their unorthodox
relationship with a wedding that is not the usual Society event. I loved the
surprise wedding gift Teddy had for Sylvia.
The epilogue was terrific. I loved seeing that their new
status hasn't changed Teddy and Sylvia significantly.
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