Lord Caliban

This story has such a horrid villain that she almost overwhelms the romance. You are on the edge of your seat wondering how any happy ending can be achieved. Clemency Barsford plans to wed her childhood sweetheart (Damien), but her family feels she is too young. Damien goes off to war - and is reported missing, presumed dead. Heartbroken, Clemency barely has the will to go on. But a neighbor, Lord Rodger Colbourne, offers her a way out of being forced to London and the marriage mart. Marry him! A widower, injured in the war and mourning his young wife and stillborn son, he plans a marriage, not of convenience but a way for them both to have a family without the burden of love. They had met when Rodger saved Clemency as a young teen after she had been dared by her cousin Beatrix to cross the floor of a dangerous ruin and been trapped! Yes, you will learn early on that Beatrix is the villain. She is the resentful orphaned cousin of Clemency - yet has been raised as a sister and not a penniless relation. Regardless of that fact, Beatrix spends her time planning on how to BECOME Clemency! Clemency does marry Rodger and as time passes realizes she loves him deeply. More so than when she was infatuated with Damien! But fate intervenes - Damien returns, still in love with Clemency. Beatrix, with her sneaky ways, sparks jealousy in Rodger about Damien's role in Clemency's life and causes a huge rift between them. This book contains both danger and passion. You feel Clemency's pain when Rodger doubts her faithfulness. But all is resolved in the end and even Damien finds love. What happens to Beatrix? You will have to read this book that I highly recommend and find out!