His Lordship's Swan

Martha Kirkland is one of my Favorite Regency authors. She is consistantly good and she never dissapoints, as another reviewer says. The other reviews pretty much say it all, so I will just say, Read This Book! You are sure to love it.

Lord Evan Trent had to get married and he flipped a coin to decide between the pair of Swann twins. The coin told him that he was to marry the older twin and he asked for the *eldest Swann* daughter. So instead of getting one of the twins, Evan gets the older sister of the twins, Lydia. (Lydia is old enough to become a spinster and she's still single.) Neither of them wants to get married to each other so Lydia proposes that she live in his home for 2 weeks under the pretense of *Getting to know each other* and during those 2 weeks, she'll try to secure the affections of her cousin, Sebastian Osborne, who she truly loves, or so she thinks. Evan agrees to this plan during their time spent together, he discovers that Lydia is a generous, caring and sensitive person. He slowly learns to like her and to appreciate her but he still backs off from making any serious actions because he know she loves Sebastian. Lydia discovers that Evan is a very decent and caring man, despite his aloof and formiddable appearance, yet she still clings to the fact that she loves Sebastian. Will these two people find love with each other, before their time is up or will Lydia still believe that she loves Sebastian?I love Lydia's character. She's so nice and smart but deffinitely not boring because she's kind of mischevious. I like how Marthat Kirkland doesn't simply state Lydia's characteristics but lets readers see her personality. I especially love how Martha Kirkland read Evan from his point of view. This book is a deffinite keeper! I had such a lovely time reading this book and I recommend it to everyone who reads historical romance !^_^ ~ Izzy

"His Lordship's Swan" by Martha Kirkland is a wonderfully warm, funny and engaging read that revolves around the 'pretend' betrothal motif. And Lydia Swann, the heroine of this novel is one of the most engaging and charming of heroines that I've ever come across. Martha Kirkland did a wonderful job of portraying Lydia -- thus allowing the reader to fully enter into all of Lydia's feelings and emotions, and making it really easy to identify with and root for her.Lord Evan Trent thought that he'd never have to worry about marrying and setting up a nursery, as he'd already found the ideal heir in his young 13 year old nephew, Jack. Unfortunately, a very bad illness renders Jack deaf, and devastated at his loss of hearing, Jack decides that he no longer wishes to be his uncle's heir, and to retreat from all society. So now Trent must find a wife, although he is loathed to do so. However, remembering the beautiful Swann twins from the previous Bath season, Trent decides to take a short cut and to solve his problem by impulsively writing to their father requesting the hand in marriage of the eldest daughter. What Trent does not know is that there are three Miss Swanns, and it is the eldest Miss Swann, Lydia, that he has inadvertently requested to marry. Trent is appalled at the dilemma he finds himself in. But what can he do? Lord Beecham Swann however is ecstatic at the thought of marrying off at least one of his daughters credibly, and will not allow Lydia to refuse Trent's mistaken proposal. Lydia for her part knows that Trent meant to ask for one of her sisters, and is equally reluctant to marry Trent. For Lydia has been in love these past six years with her cousin by marriage, Sebastian Osbourne, and who just happens to be one of Trent's neighbours. Lydia hits on a plan: she and Trent will pretend to be betrothed, and Lydia will accompany Trent to his country estate for two weeks. Once there, Lydia will do all in her power to fix Sebastian's interest, and thus fulfill the twin tasks of marrying the man of her dreams, and getting Trent of the hook. Trent agrees with her plan but with some reservations. But anything is better than marrying red haired Lydia. What Trent doesn't bargain for is that Lydia with her wit, charm and loving heart would touch his, and make him wish that their sham betrothal was real. Can Trent persuade Lydia to forget Sebastian and take him on instead?The thing about romance novels is that you know even before you read the first page of the book which characters are destined for the 'happily-ever-after' ending on the last page of the novel. The gift of a really good book (and authour) is that, even though you know how it will end, your interest as a reader is sustained, and that you root for the couple to come to their collective senses and find each other. "His Lordship's Swann" does this in spades. It made for such satisfying reading to see Trent and Lydia slowly come to realise that they were meant for each other. "His Lor

If you love the "false betrothal" plot, this book is for you. There is no real villian in this story. It is a true tale of two hearts that find one another before their heads do. A charming traditional Regency from the consistently good Martha Kirkland. I always look forward to her next book from Zebra or Signet.

HIS LORDSHIP'S SWAN is no ugly duckling. In fact, she is a real charmer. I laughed out loud so often I lost count.