This is a richly textured story that captivates the reader quickly. Robert Benson grew up the son of an innkeeper. However, he left home the day he learned secrets about his parents. Instead, Rob made a successful life for himself in the military. Turning his back on his former life, he is bitter and disillusioned. However, a worrisome letter from his sister brings Rob back home.
Rob finds that he inherited Willowbrook, one of the old Earl of Carlion's estates (this is Rob's father). However, the new Earl of Clarion is bitter about the inheritance (he's also Rob's half-brother). Since the old earl's death, Lucy Whitmire has been living at Willowbrook as the steward of the property. However, Rob's arrival puts her role in jeopardy. The will of the old earl was strange in that it gave extensive properties and money to the many illegitimate children he had, to the detriment of his own two children.
This is an emotionally satisfying book with many characters and highly-charged emotions. There's intrigue and a mystery. Unfortunately, I think the romance got the short-shrift while the intrigue and drama took center stage. Otherwise, I read it in one sitting because I couldn't set it aside. There are two more books in this series, but I can't imagine them being more exciting.
Ashmead Heirs
** 1. The Wayward Son (2021)
2. The Defiant Daughter (2021)
3. The Forgotten Daughter (2022)
Rob finds that he inherited Willowbrook, one of the old Earl of Carlion's estates (this is Rob's father). However, the new Earl of Clarion is bitter about the inheritance (he's also Rob's half-brother). Since the old earl's death, Lucy Whitmire has been living at Willowbrook as the steward of the property. However, Rob's arrival puts her role in jeopardy. The will of the old earl was strange in that it gave extensive properties and money to the many illegitimate children he had, to the detriment of his own two children.
This is an emotionally satisfying book with many characters and highly-charged emotions. There's intrigue and a mystery. Unfortunately, I think the romance got the short-shrift while the intrigue and drama took center stage. Otherwise, I read it in one sitting because I couldn't set it aside. There are two more books in this series, but I can't imagine them being more exciting.
Ashmead Heirs
** 1. The Wayward Son (2021)
2. The Defiant Daughter (2021)
3. The Forgotten Daughter (2022)
