Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized façade, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India.
Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks.
But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them.
Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option.
But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can’t afford to lose…
His fierce and lawless heart.
I had a stint many years ago where Eloisa James was my favorite mass market Reg writer. Then I read This Duchess of Mine and feared she’d lost her touch in favor of cranking out titles.
Luckily, I think that was probably a passing phase because Three Weeks With Lady X was delightful, sexy and funny…everything I expect out of an Eloisa James. The H/h are unlikely lovers…both alphas of a sort, with lively senses of humor and a frankness that is definitely a bit prochronistic…but makes for some funny interactions.
Contrary to the summary on the back page, Thorn isn’t hip to his interest into India until very near the end of the book. Instead, he finds her friendship a refreshing change and a challenge. They spar frequently, and he does everything in his power to shock her.
Both are unconventional Reg Rom hero/heroines…he is a Duke’s bastard and she is a professional Lady. But that made it much more enjoyable…if unlikely. Thorn is trying to establish himself by marrying a Diamond in search of a fortune (he, of course, obscenely handsome, rich, and fit). In order to do so, he has purchased a country estate that the former tenant had nigh on turned into a brothel. Enter India, the Ton’s darling Miss Fix It, who organizes households, redecorates, and in general sorts out the lives of the Upper Orders for a very healthy sum.
His intended bride is, of course, a henwitted peagoose who presents no real threat to India. India has a trail of men in love with her, but seems reluctant to marry. In this respect, James masterfully teases the backstory throughout so it plays like a mystery to be solved.
James admittedly plays a bit fast and loose with the historical accuracy of inventions featured in the book, but it didn’t rankle like it did with McQuiston. I think perhaps it was more forgivable because it was less critical to the story, and explained with a detailed and apologetic author’s note.
This was a satisfying, well crafted Reg Rom that delivers on all fronts…great characters, good supporting cast, strong romantic tension, and unique features. I would recommend for those readers not afraid of a side of steam.
4.75 out of 6 Sexy, funny and fast paced…a perfect mass market Reg Rom.
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Lots of suggestive dialogue/content | |
| Intimacy | |
| Of the vanilla variety, but still pretty steamy. | |
| Violence | |
| Not really. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| A fun steamy vanilla read great for Reg readers who like intimate content. | |
