Lord Iveston couldn’t believe that Pen wasn’t interested in him personally. He had never had a woman who treated him as nonchalantly as she did. He couldn’t understand why the Duke interested her more than he did. On the other hand, the Duke of Edenham really had no desire to pursue Miss Prestwick. She just didn’t have something that he was looking for. He wanted a wife, but it wasn’t Pen.

Ms. Dain has written a quirky, upbeat novel which was a joy to read. It was a slow to begin with. It definitely did not remain that way. Her main characters were upper-crust and their personalities lived up to their stations in life. In this story of the ton and how the rules and regulations controlled the actions of all, it was a refreshing change to read this distinctive approach to the problem of marrying well. The determination of Penelope to marry a duke impressed upon this reader the strength she possessed.

Her secondary characters were vividly written. It was great to know these players so in depth. The character of Lady Dalby was interesting. Her background and family were extremely captivating. The storyline was captivating.

I recommend this book to all who enjoy happily-ever-after with surprise endings. You’ll be glad you read this.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
March 24, 2010