A Necessary Husband

I have just recently discovered Debra Mullins' books and of the three of hers that I have read so far, A Necessary Husband is my favorite. The other two I read were Just One Touch, which I liked and would recommend, and Scandal of the Black Rose, which I didn't and wouldn't. SUMMARY: At the age of 18, Lucinda Northcott let her foolish trust and young love for Malcolm Devering, Viscount Arndale, lead her to an indiscretion and an unhappy marriage ... When her father, General Northcott, discovers she and Malcolm embracing, he insists that the proper thing be done. Arndale's father, the Earl of Witting, does not want his heir to marry the daughter of a mere general, however, and so instead plans are made for her to marry Malcolm's younger brother, Harry. The marriage is a loveless one and after the first year, Lucinda and Harry lead separate lives, no longer sharing a house nor a marriage bed. When the story takes place, Lucinda is 29 years old and has been a widow for a year, her husband having died in a scandalous manner in his mistress' bed. Ever since the fateful night of her indiscretion, Malcolm has pursued her with an almost obsessive fervor, wanting to finish what they started despite the fact that she became his sister-in-law. Harry's death left behind a mountain of debts that Lucinda has no way to repay, having already sold their country home, her widow's pension, and almost all their worldly goods. By rights Malcolm should pay the debts since he was Harry's brother, but he blackmails Lucinda and says he won't pay them until she becomes his mistress. Lucinda will do anything to avoid this fate ... Society knows nothing of what triggered Lucinda's marriage to Harry, nor does the ton know that she is financially destitute - all they see is a woman whose husband's behavior was shameful and who is thought of as a "paragon of dignified propriety," an image she has done much to cultivate ever since her recklessly giving in to passion led to her unhappy marriage. This reputation has led the Duke of Raynewood to "hire" her to help with the come out of his newly arrived American granddaughter, Meg Lynch (22) - he didn't so much hire her as blackmail her, saying that if she doesn't help in making Meg a success, he will let people know about her financial situation; if she does succeed, however, he will pay off Harry's debts. Captain Garret Lynch (30) wants nothing to do with his grandfather, from whom his family has been estranged all his life - ever since his father married his mother, a young Irish woman whom the Duke didn't approve of, and moved to America. However, he has no choice but to sail for England when news of his mother's death reaches him while he is on one of his six ships, for he learns that following their mother's death, Meg left America to meet the grandfather they have never known. He intends to go there, pick up his sister, and depart immediately, however even the best laid plans can go awry ... Though neither the Duke nor

American sea captain Garrett Lynch has no use for the grandfather who had disowned his son for marrying an Irishwoman. Nevermind that his grandfather also happens to be an English duke and Garrett is his heir. When he finds out that his sister Meg has left Boston to visit their grandfather, Garrett races to England to fetch her back to America at once. When he arrives he finds himself facing a rebellious sister, a tyrannical grandfather and the alluring widow charged with preparing Meg for the London season. When Meg informs him that she plans to attend the Season, Garrett decides to stay until he can change her mind. Perhaps, he'll use the time to get to know the lovely Lucinda better as well. Lucinda Devering was a woman on a mission. Struggling with her husband's debts and a lecherous brother-in-law, the Duke of Raynewood has promised to help if she prepares his granddaughter for her debut into Society. However, now that his erstwhile heir has arrived, the Duke wants her to turn Garrett into an English gentleman as well. Soon Lucinda has her hands full protecting Meg from her brother-in-law, keeping the peace between the Duke and his heir, and protecting her heart from this dashing captain. At its heart, Debra Mullins' first foray into the Regency era is a story of second chances. A NECESSARY HUSBAND is more than just a story between a man and a woman, although Lucinda and Garrett are worthy adversaries in the game of love. It's a story about a man coming to terms with his past and facing the possibilities of his future. It's also a story about a woman determined to restore the honor she feels she's lost due to a youthful folly. These insights into Garrett and Lucinda's personalities add depth to a well-crafted plot and make this typical Regency story anything but typical. TheSchemer

The cast of characters in this Regency era novel maintains a high level of interest. After a near-scandal forces her into an arranged marriage without love (one that itself ends in scandal), Lucinda strives to always be all that is proper, allowing not a hint of scandal to touch her or her family name...and then along comes brash American Garrett, who doesn't give a fig for the high-in-the-instep, hypocritical values of high English society. Desire erupts immediately between these two, and Lucinda finds it increasingly difficult to maintain her proper actions around Garrett.Lucinda's motivations are clearly understood by the reader from the very beginning. Garrett, though charming, requires some self-knowledge and change to be truly heroic. He starts off as selfish and bossy. Worse, he simply cannot believe that Lucinda means "No" when she says "No." He fails to comprehend that she could desire him and yet still truly mean her refusal to act on that desire. Finally, however, he gets a clue; he comes to understand her reasons and begins to feel ashamed of himself (not that he ceases to want her or ceases to try to seduce her), but he is more understanding and begins to see himself and others more clearly. As a result, he does change in some significant ways. In fact, he uses the word "love" first. Moreover, he shows some truly heart-softening vulnerability (though he does so rarely and unwillingly). And Garrett really is deliciously naughty.The tone in this book is rather anti-English, in the "high society is so hypocritical" vein. Although it's a little odd for this sub-genre, it is an interesting point of view. Lucinda herself begins to question all that she's thought was important.The book kept my attention; it was well-paced and good fun. Three & 1/2 stars (mainly becaue Garrett has such a hard time understanding the word "No").

I sat down to read this book and was finished just over three hours later. During that time I was completely involved with the characters and the story.This is an engaging tale of an American heir to a dukedom, Garrett Lynch, Marquess of Kelton, unwillingly being forced to acknowledge his title and a poverty stricken widow of respectable birth, Lucinda Devering, who is guiding his sister through a London season. The story flowed very comfortably and kept me interested all the way to it?s happy conclusion. The passion between the main characters seemed very real and not at all forced. The hero was very intriguing and came with genuine obstacles to a happy ending just falling into place. Our heroine also came with her fair share of problems, including a lecherous relative in sexual pursuit of her. The book read very smoothly and enjoyably. Wonderful passion between the leads, many engaging secondary characters and believable circumstances that prevent complete happiness until the ending, all contributed to make this a very worthwhile read.I thoroughly recommend this novel.Amanda Faulkner

In 1805 London, a very disappointed General Northcott lectures his daughter Lucinda that she has brought shame to their family name that has been above reproach for over two centuries. He insists she will marry the younger son of an earl instead of the older one whom she loves. Harry Devering not her beloved Malcolm becomes her spouse. For the next decade Lucinda is the paragon of proper behavior, which cannot be said of her husband.In 1816 Lucinda makes her first social appearance since Harry died in the bed of his mistress over a year ago. Only for her charge Meg would she return to the Ton. However, at Meg's debut, her brother, Sea Captain Garrett Lynch, crashes the gala. Ready to declare the third Anglo-American war, Garrett is side tracked by the beauty and calm of Lucinda. He wants her, but Lucinda will give up love before stepping into any scandal, just ask the odious Malcolm who wants her as his mistress.Though the story line is somewhat typical of a Regency, Debra Mullins keeps it fresh through the relationships of several of her key characters, especially the lead protagonists. Lucinda's vow to never cause harm to her family name after the way her father looked at her in 1805 battles with her desire to make love with the wild Garrett, whose attitude is damn the torpedoes full speed ahead in his quest. Regency readers will find A NECESSARY HUSBAND a charming read that never steps out of the box.Harriet Klausner