Just Another Viscount in Love

Samuel, Viscount Ellery is ready to marry, and his position, demeanor and reputation should prove no obstacle. But, he’s unlucky: each woman he has pursued has gone off and married someone else. Determined, if a bit cautious about the marriage mart, he’s decided to host a house party to which he’ll invite some close friends, a few select eligible debutantes and hope for the best. Sam is a wonderfully complex and gallant man: he’s laden with a generosity of spirit and a genuine goodness, along with a true desire to find that one woman to make his own, that you can’t help but be drawn to him. Gemma is traveling about with her aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Vale. She’s enjoying the travel and seeing new sights, best of all there are no whispers behind gloved hands or outright disrespect shown her because of her father’s sins. See, Gemma’s father is a nororious thief and while she herself has led an honest life, the snubs and gibes, not to mention the impact on her opportunities for a good marriage are all reasons to avoid society at all costs. Gemma is fortunate that her aunt, being well titled and unconcerned with the snubs from society has taken her under her wing. She sees (as readers do) that Gemma is wonderfully sweet, kind and genuinely a good catch, for the right man. A stop for a leisurely wade in a pond during the warm afternoon places Gemma and Sam in proximity, the pond is, after all, on his land. A quiet conversation is struck up: both seem to be intrigued with the other, and the connection between the two shows a kinship that could easily lead to love. Embarrassed by her gaffe of wading in the Viscount’s pond, she can’t resist when Sam, finding them at the inn, issues an invitation to the party at his house. He’s intrigued by Gemma, and wants to know her better. Of course, the other debs at the party quickly ferret out Gemma’s notorious connections, and quickly work to isolate her from the group and from Sam, who will not be denied or put off. He’s intrigued by her and discovers the real woman beneath the stories: her heart, her shame and her concern to not burden any man with her paternal connections mean little to him, and he increases his pursuit, showing her that he sees her as she is, not who she is. Wonderfully built, these two characters arrive fully formed and develop a relationship that is easily described as ‘eyes for only one”, much to the delight of the Dowager Duchess and the dismay of the debutantes at the party. Engaging, heartfelt and smile-inducing, this is a wonderful installment in this series. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Beautiful story!!!!!