Helpful Score: 1
This is another incredible story from Carla Kelly. Lydia Perkins, the heroine, is not valued in her family; the family is in a rented London home for the Season. Lydia has been brought to work as a maid to her younger, very beautiful, spoiled (and empty-headed) sister, Kitty.
There's a new fad amongst the London Ton -- going to visit recuperating (and dying) soldiers at a old church that is in poor condition. This is Kitty's season and her mother sends both girls to the church to mingle with the other young people. The members of the Ton only stand and stare. Lydia feels useless; she begins to help the weary, injured, smelly soldiers.
Major Sam Reed, the hero, is as wounded as his soldiers. Although eligible for better conditions and health care, he chooses to stay with his men. He soon notices Lydia and tells her she must come again the next day. Over her mother's objections, Lydia does.
When her mother becomes enraged with Lydia's behavior, she runs from home. Major Reed convinces Lydia to marry him (a marriage of convenience) because he has written for the past 2 years (to his mother and aunt) that he is married to Delightful Saunders ... and even has a daughter with her! His aunt holds the purse strings to the money that Sam needs to manage the estate he's inherited.
The couple has an amazing range of adventures and trials on their way to Sam's home in Northumberland. This story pulls out all the stops; it is engrossing, tragic, heart-rending, amusing ... and wildly funny. This book is an absolute delight. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.
There's a new fad amongst the London Ton -- going to visit recuperating (and dying) soldiers at a old church that is in poor condition. This is Kitty's season and her mother sends both girls to the church to mingle with the other young people. The members of the Ton only stand and stare. Lydia feels useless; she begins to help the weary, injured, smelly soldiers.
Major Sam Reed, the hero, is as wounded as his soldiers. Although eligible for better conditions and health care, he chooses to stay with his men. He soon notices Lydia and tells her she must come again the next day. Over her mother's objections, Lydia does.
When her mother becomes enraged with Lydia's behavior, she runs from home. Major Reed convinces Lydia to marry him (a marriage of convenience) because he has written for the past 2 years (to his mother and aunt) that he is married to Delightful Saunders ... and even has a daughter with her! His aunt holds the purse strings to the money that Sam needs to manage the estate he's inherited.
The couple has an amazing range of adventures and trials on their way to Sam's home in Northumberland. This story pulls out all the stops; it is engrossing, tragic, heart-rending, amusing ... and wildly funny. This book is an absolute delight. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.
