They are masters of seduction, London’s greatest lovers . . .
Renowned for his bedchamber prowess, Ransom Seymour, the Duke of Ainsley, owes a debt to a friend. But the payment expected is most shocking, even to an unrepentant rake—for he’s being asked to provide his friend’s exquisite wife with what she most dearly covets: a child.
Living for pleasure, they will give their hearts to no one . . .
Lady Jayne Seymour, Marchioness of Walfort, is furious that such a scandalous agreement would be made. If she acquiesces, there must be rules: no kissing . . . and, certainly, no pleasure.
Until love takes them by surprise.
But unexpected things occur with the surprisingly tender duke—especially once Lady Jayne discovers the rogue can make her dream again . . . and Ransom realizes he’s found the one woman he truly cannot live without.
The Duke of Ainsley is visiting his cousin and friend, the Marquess of Walfort, when Walfort puts forth an upsetting proposition. Walfort would like Ainsley to bed his wife and get her with child. You see Walfort who was paralyzed in a curricle accident three years earlier is playing on Ainsley’s guilt since Ainsley was the one driving the curricle at the time of the accident. Ainsley has a serious problem with the request on so many levels but one he is mainly thinking about is his heart. He’s been slightly in love with Walfort’s wife, Jayne, since he met her and he fears that bedding her will send him over the edge – only to send her back to Walfort’s side and have his child claimed by Jayne and Walfort.
But Walfort – as we find out later in the book – is a master manipulator and manages to talk both Ainsley and Jayne into the liaison. He sends them off for a month to get the job done only it ends up not being so much of a job than a pleasure for both Ainsley and Jayne. But what happens when both parties fall in love with the other and know they can never be together? And how does Ainsley handle the thought that he’ll never be able to claim his own child?
I usually don’t read books that deal with infidelity and have infidelity involved but I went into this book after reading and liking the previous 2 in the series and decided to give it a go.
I have to say that I really liked Jayne and Ainsley’s time together once they started communicating – but I just couldn’t stop thinking that it wasn’t real. They could have as much fun as they liked and shared hundreds of small, intimate moments but in the end Jayne was going back to Walfort. I really couldn’t wrap my mind around the whole situation. After they returned home we read about Jayne and Ainsley dealing with life and it just seemed so unfair to me!
I can’t tell you too much or I’ll ruin the book for you but Walfort ended up being a complete ass. I couldn’t see him as a good person in the end and I was pretty glad the book ended as it did. Jayne I liked but I did question her actions at times and her loyalty – not that it wasn’t there…just there was too much of it at times!
Ainsley – oh he was wonderful. He was such a great hero and I just loved him. My heart hurt for him at times and I just wanted to crawl through the book and give him a great big hug.
In the end there is an HEA and it was good. The book overall was a good read and one I’m glad that I decided to read. Heath is a great writer and I will definitely read more of her work in the future.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
I know you told me about this novel and after reading the review it sounds like a fine historical. Gotta read it sometime, for sure. Heath has a wonderful writing style, just has that touch to make a story interesting. Even she cannot make asses into anyone other than they are. It is the burden of the writer, eh?
Well now, this is ironic, lol. You just won the Waking Up with the Duke Giveaway on my blog! Email me so I can get the book and your gift card out to you.
Congrats!!
Judith – I really like Heath's writing style. She dragged me into the story even when I thought she wouldn't. You need to read this series!
Barbara – Awesome! Thanks so much!
Been looking forward to this one for a long time. I have a feeling Ainsley will be my favorite part. 🙂
Tracy, I'm really looking forward to this book and Ainsley's story. The story line seems a bit far fetched and I've been wondering how Heath works it out. Thanks so much for the review. 🙂
Leslie – Yep, Ainsley was my favorite part as well.
Hilcia – I wasn't sure how I would feel about whole thing and even if I would finish the book but Heath worked it so that I liked it! Not the entire situation of course but still! lol
Hmmm, it is definitively a different situation/premise. That's what I like about this so far… I just don't know how well Ms Heath will pull it off. I guess I'll have to read to find out. I'm glad though that Ainsley was a great hero! 🙂
Nath – She did go with a different situation. I really loved Ainsley and he pretty much carried the book for me. I'm not sure what I would have thought about the book if not for the strong hero.