“Jack Fortescu gambles to win, and this time his prize is not only his rival’s lavish mansion but everything in it-
including the man’s beautiful sister! But when it comes to games, Jack has met his match. . . .
Left homeless by her brother’s escapade, Arabella Lacey has two appalling choices: pack her bags-or agree to marry the lunatic who’s taken over her house. Why would such a handsome-and outrageously wealthy-man want such an unromantic arrangement? Arabella intends to find out, and have a little fun in the process at Jack’s expense . . . literally. As Jack discovers that his reluctant bride is no ordinary beauty, he feels a stir of admiration, among other emotions, that wasn’t part of the bargain. Now he’s the one with everything to lose. . .”
I did like this one, but I leave it to you whether or not you can sink into Feather’s sometimes overly lavish and oft serious world. She does passage of time well in this one, and I like that she doesn’t spend heaps of time on the initial conflict, although overall I found the emotional conflict to be a little weak.
There are some nice parts and some good qualities about the characters, and I especially like how Feather characterizes folks as they really are (in shades of grey rather than black and white).
Georgian and set just after The Terror, she incorporates French emigres nicely into the book and even manages to school us a little on some of the conditions in France afterwards.
I am not sure I am going to be looking for too much Jane Feather in the future, just because I prefer a more light hearted read. However, were I to select another it would probably be the follow up to Almost a Bride, Almost a Lady.
