Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good conclusion to the series. I have been looking forward to Stephen's story since the first book in the series, and I was curious to see if the uptight, occasionally vengeful head of the family could be redeemed. There has been some progress as each of his siblings finds happiness, often with someone who doesn't fit Stephen's idea of appropriateness. His pride in the family takes a severe hit in the previous book when he finds out about his late father's affair and the existence of a half-sister.
As this book starts, Stephen struggles with his feelings about his father. Added to his workaholic tendencies, his family has had enough of his grumpy attitude, motivating his strong-willed mother to insist that he return to the family estate in England for at least two weeks of vacation. He's not happy about it, but he goes. He doesn't expect to find the house devoid of all staff except the housekeeper's daughter, Esme.
While her mom recovers from a health scare, Esme has taken a leave of absence from her hotel job to fill in at Chatsworth. With no family expected to be in residence, Esme has given the staff two weeks off, leaving just herself to hold down the fort. She's shocked when Stephen shows up unannounced. He didn't make a very good showing at first, but eventually comes down off his high horse and shows his human side.
Stephen and Esme have a long history. They were good friends as children, even though he was the earl's heir and she was the housekeeper's daughter. They played together, did homework together, and hung out in the kitchen under the watchful eye of Esme's mom. That all changed when Stephen was thirteen and was sent off to boarding school. Their parting was acrimonious, and Esme felt the sting of betrayal and loneliness after he left. After a few moments to clear the air, they settle into a cautious working relationship.
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Stephen and Esme. It doesn't take long to rekindle their friendship, mainly once Stephen relaxes his lord-of-the-manner persona. I enjoyed seeing them reminisce about the fun they had as kids. When Esme learns why Stephen had been "banished" to England, she sets out to remind him what it's like to have fun, from visiting their old haunts to attending the village fair. Neither expects the attraction that flares between them.
Stephen sees nothing wrong with spending time together, but Esme is conscious of the gap between their places in life. When Stephen invites her to go to Paris with him for a short visit and to attend a charity event with him, she is hesitant to accept. I loved watching him treat her to everything from a spa day to being dressed in designer clothes. I felt for Esme and her discomfort at the event and loved that Stephen understood her feelings. Their escape was amusing, and giving in to their growing attraction was not a surprise. I also enjoyed their visit with his family the next day. I loved that the family absorbed Esme into their circle since she'd always been a part of their lives. I got a kick out of the reactions of Stephen's female family members and their advice to Esme. They had no trouble seeing the way the wind blew.
Matters get complicated when a picture of them on the fair's Ferris wheel makes national gossip papers. Esme's fears get the better of her, and Stephen allows hurt pride to make him walk away. Both have past issues that affect how they deal with what happens. It takes frank conversations with their mothers for each one to see what they are throwing away. I loved the emotional ending and seeing Esme and Stephen open up completely to each other about their fears and hopes. The wedding day scene was incredible. I loved the attention to detail; from when Esme woke up to when Stephen saw her walking toward him, I felt like I was there.
As this book starts, Stephen struggles with his feelings about his father. Added to his workaholic tendencies, his family has had enough of his grumpy attitude, motivating his strong-willed mother to insist that he return to the family estate in England for at least two weeks of vacation. He's not happy about it, but he goes. He doesn't expect to find the house devoid of all staff except the housekeeper's daughter, Esme.
While her mom recovers from a health scare, Esme has taken a leave of absence from her hotel job to fill in at Chatsworth. With no family expected to be in residence, Esme has given the staff two weeks off, leaving just herself to hold down the fort. She's shocked when Stephen shows up unannounced. He didn't make a very good showing at first, but eventually comes down off his high horse and shows his human side.
Stephen and Esme have a long history. They were good friends as children, even though he was the earl's heir and she was the housekeeper's daughter. They played together, did homework together, and hung out in the kitchen under the watchful eye of Esme's mom. That all changed when Stephen was thirteen and was sent off to boarding school. Their parting was acrimonious, and Esme felt the sting of betrayal and loneliness after he left. After a few moments to clear the air, they settle into a cautious working relationship.
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Stephen and Esme. It doesn't take long to rekindle their friendship, mainly once Stephen relaxes his lord-of-the-manner persona. I enjoyed seeing them reminisce about the fun they had as kids. When Esme learns why Stephen had been "banished" to England, she sets out to remind him what it's like to have fun, from visiting their old haunts to attending the village fair. Neither expects the attraction that flares between them.
Stephen sees nothing wrong with spending time together, but Esme is conscious of the gap between their places in life. When Stephen invites her to go to Paris with him for a short visit and to attend a charity event with him, she is hesitant to accept. I loved watching him treat her to everything from a spa day to being dressed in designer clothes. I felt for Esme and her discomfort at the event and loved that Stephen understood her feelings. Their escape was amusing, and giving in to their growing attraction was not a surprise. I also enjoyed their visit with his family the next day. I loved that the family absorbed Esme into their circle since she'd always been a part of their lives. I got a kick out of the reactions of Stephen's female family members and their advice to Esme. They had no trouble seeing the way the wind blew.
Matters get complicated when a picture of them on the fair's Ferris wheel makes national gossip papers. Esme's fears get the better of her, and Stephen allows hurt pride to make him walk away. Both have past issues that affect how they deal with what happens. It takes frank conversations with their mothers for each one to see what they are throwing away. I loved the emotional ending and seeing Esme and Stephen open up completely to each other about their fears and hopes. The wedding day scene was incredible. I loved the attention to detail; from when Esme woke up to when Stephen saw her walking toward him, I felt like I was there.
