Richard, Marquess of Devon is satisfied with his ton marriage. His wife of five months, Lady Eugenia Devon, thought she was, too, until she found the book. Their marriage is one of respect and affection, with no messy entanglements such as love. Devon’s upbringing impressed upon him that gentlemen slake their baser needs on a mistress, not their gently bred wives. However, once married, he was no longer comfortable bedding a woman other Eugenia. When
she stumbles onto a naughty book, she begins a campaign to change the rules.
Lady Eugenia wants her very proper husband to fall in love with her. But her much changed and undeniably wicked behavior might inadvertently drive her confused husband to ponder the unthinkable—his perfect Lady has taken a lover. But the only man Eugenia only wants is her husband. The book can bring sizzling desire to the marriage or it might cause an explosion.
Review:
Though I’m sure their language wasn’t always 100% correct for the period (and I’m not convinced that Eugenia’s book actually existed, though it certainly should have ;)), both Eugenia and Devon themselves felt more authentic than characters in modern-day historical fiction often do. The way they seemed to settle for a ton marriage–until Eugenia didn’t anymore–the things they were brought up believing about husbands and wives and mistresses–it all felt real.
Which is what made Eugenia’s seduction of Devon all the more delicious.
I loved how she wasn’t content to settle anymore once she found “the book” and all of her clumsy attempts to put what she read into practice. And his confusion over what he grew up being told and how his wife was making him feel? Just fantastic. For once the “they could have solved this with a conversation” actually worked for me, because the chances that they would have had a conversation in that instance? Pretty slim. It all served to make everything that much more fantastic when Devon is finally seduced 🙂
Here’s hoping this is the first of a series, because I want more! Eugenia does have a brother, after all…
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
