Series: Sinful Suitors (Book 2)
When Edwin Barlow, the Earl of Blakeborough, agrees to
help his best friend's impetuous ward, Lady Clarissa Lindsey, in her time of
need, he knows he's in for trouble. He's been hunting for someone to wed, and
she'll just get in the way. Although captivated by the witty, free-spirited
beauty, he fears she'd be all wrong as a wife...if she would even take such a
gruff cynic for her husband. Yet he wants nothing more than to have her for his
own.
Clarissa has no intention of marrying anyone not Edwin,
whom she's sure would be an overbearing husband, and certainly not the powerful
French diplomat stalking her. But when matters escalate with the diplomat, she
chooses Edwin's gallant offer of a marriage between friends in hopes that it
will deter her stalker. She expects nothing more than an amiable union, but
their increasingly tempestuous kisses prove more than she bargained for. When
her stalker's vow to expose the lovers deepest secrets threatens to destroy
their blossoming attraction, will their tenuous bond withstand public ruin, or
will Edwin lose all that's important to him to protect his bride?
Very good book. By the end of The Art of Sinning (Book
1), I had a pretty good idea that Edwin and Clarissa were going to be the next
couple. The sparks flying between them were too obvious not to be acted on. At
the beginning of this book, Clarissa's guardian and cousin, Warren, has to go
on a trip and asks his best friend Edwin to keep an eye on Clarissa. There's a
French diplomat that has been pursuing her and won't take no for an answer.
Clarissa is extremely independent and is not happy with the idea of someone
watching over her - especially Edwin.
Edwin and Clarissa have known each other for a long time.
Their families' estates are next door to each other, and Clarissa has been best
friends with Edwin's sister Yvette for years. Whenever they come in contact
sparks fly. Edwin is a bit on the serious and stuffy side and tends to look
askance at some of Clarissa's antics, while Clarissa, who is more lighthearted
and enjoys having fun, seems to enjoy poking at Edwin's stuffiness. It really
ratchets up a notch when it becomes necessary for her to accept his presence as
protection. The scene that sets this up was fun to read as Clarissa's
objections get shot down every time.
I really liked Edwin. He's been there in other books,
usually in the background. He's a bit stiff and stuffy, but he's steady and
reliable and there when his friends need him. He's very protective of those he
cares for, such as his sister and his friends. He is haunted by something that
happened when he was a child, something that has caused him to keep his
emotions tightly controlled. He also doesn't like to ask for help from anyone,
a quirk that creates some difficulty for him later on. He knows it's time for
him to look for a wife, so he'll watch over Clarissa while he does his
searching. He knows that he wants a quiet, sensible woman who will give him a
peaceful home life. He tells himself he doesn't want someone as lively and
flighty and irritating as Clarissa.
I also liked Clarissa. She's enthusiastic, loves dancing
and opera and parties. She's a bit of a flirt, enjoying the attentions of men,
but never letting them get too close. She has made no secret of the fact that
she doesn't want to marry, but doesn't say why. She too is protective of those
she loves, such as her mother and brother and her friends. She gets a great
deal of enjoyment out of teasing Edwin and shaking up what she sees as his
boring life.
As Edwin takes on the challenge of protecting Clarissa,
he quickly realizes that he's in far more trouble than he expected. He finally
has to admit to himself that he's attracted to her, even though he feels that
they are all wrong for each other. I loved seeing the development of their
relationship, as two people who believe that they already know each other very
well discover that there are still some surprises to be had. I loved seeing
Edwin begin to enjoy some of Clarissa's antics, finding that they brightened up
his life. I also loved how Clarissa came to appreciate Edwin's sometimes blunt
straightforward comments, as they were honest. The attraction between them
continues to grow stronger, but there is frustration also, because Clarissa
seems to blow hot and cold over his advances.
When the only way to ensure Clarissa's safety is for them
to marry, Edwin makes his case with his typical pragmatic logic. Clarissa
accepts the necessity, but has conditions of her own, ones that only add to
Edwin's frustration. I ached for him because he was certain that there was
something about him that made it impossible for her to handle his touch. It
isn't until that frustration comes to a head, and he tells her about the
traumatic event of his childhood that Clarissa is finally able to open up about
the reasons for her own actions. Edwin finished winning my heart at this point
because of his reaction. I loved his sensitivity and patience as they worked
together to overcome her fears. These were truly some amazingly sweet and sexy
scenes.
The problem of Clarissa's stalker ran throughout the
book. The more I saw of him, the creepier he was, and I completely understood
Clarissa's fear of him. It didn't take long for Edwin to understand just how
dangerous he was too. There were some of his actions that made no sense to
Edwin and Clarissa, especially once they were married. He should have given up
by then, but seemed more determined than ever. An attack on Clarissa had Edwin
challenging him to a duel, which terrified Clarissa. News brought back to
England by Clarissa's cousin shed light on Durand's reasons, but still left
Edwin determined to stay the course. I loved seeing Warren practically force
Edwin to ask for help from his friends, which ended up being a very good thing.
I was not at all surprised by the results of that help nor by the final
confrontation. It also made Clarissa and Edwin realize the full truth of their
feelings for each other. The epilogue was an excellent finish to the story,
with a surprise arrival and a hint of things yet to come.
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