Series:
Lyon's Den (Book 84)
Love at first sight. Hatred at the altar.
Plucked from London's slums and thrust into Society as
the stepdaughter of a duke, Clara Martingale should have every advantage. But
rumors about her birth and her lack of refinement make her the target of cruel
gossip, until a Highland marquess sweeps her off her feet.
Murdo McTavish needs to marry an heiress to save his
estate, but falling for Clara wasn't part of the plan. Their connection is
instant, and even his disapproving father can't argue with her dowry, or her
spirit.
Until Clara's true parentage is revealed… and everything
falls apart.
Heartbroken and cast aside, Clara turns to The Lyon's
Den, the infamous matchmaking club run by Bessie Dove-Lyon. Like her mother
before her, she seeks a fresh start, only to be matched with the very man who
betrayed her.
Now bound by duty and secrets, Clara and Murdo must
decide if love is worth risking a second time… or if heartbreak is the only
ending their story will have.
Years earlier, Clara was rescued from her life in
London's slums and reunited with the mother she'd been taken from (
Lyon of the Ton). Now a duke's stepdaughter, Clara is expected to make her debut in
Society. But rumors about her past make her the butt of cruel gossip and snide
comments.
Murdo is a Scotsman with an impoverished estate who has
come to London in search of an heiress. He spots Clara at a ball and is
immediately smitten. His protective instincts kick in when he sees how others
treat her. I ached for Clara and loved how he supported her. I enjoyed seeing
how he pursued her and how he won over her parents. All that is needed is for
them to travel to Scotland to meet Murdo's family and then have the wedding.
Things become complicated when they arrive at Murdo's
home. His father knows Clara's mother's past and pitches a massive fit. The
things he says are horrific, and Clara is devastated and furious. Murdo lost my
respect when he didn't stand up for her and caved in to his father's demands.
Clara and her mother turn to Mrs. Dove-Lyon at the Lyon's
Den, hoping to find a suitable match for Clara. She's given up on love and looks
for someone with the honor and strength to stand by her side. She is horrified
to find that the man who wins her hand is none other than Murdo. But Mrs.
Dove-Lyon will not release them from their contracts, and they must make the
best of their situation.
Married, for better or worse, they must find a way to
coexist. Sparks fly between them, but outside of the bedroom, they have a
strained relationship. Clara hesitates to trust Murdo with her heart again,
especially since his father is still vocally abusive. Despite it all, Clara
retains her spirit and feistiness. Murdo feels guilty about his previous
actions and torn between loyalty to his father and his feelings for Clara. Misunderstandings
run up against her insecurities, and Clara wonders if there is any chance of
happiness. I can't remember how many times I wanted to shake Murdo out of his obtuseness,
but he finally redeemed himself. A twist at the end makes their chance of a
happy future much brighter.
There is a secondary story involving Murdo's brother
James. I wasn't too sure about him at first, but I quickly learned that he,
too, was a victim of his father's obnoxiousness. I liked seeing the changes in
him as the book progressed.
No comments:
Post a Comment