In London, Horatio finds that there are quite a few surprises waiting for him. Cyrus Spoon, Simon Colby's lawyer, tells Horatio that according to the will he must marry within one year. If he doesn't, the land, wealth and possessions Horatio inherited will go to the Prince Regent. He is also made guardian of Simon Colby's orphaned twin great- granddaughters, Emily and Elyse.

After six months of searching London for a wife, Horatio comes up with a plan he thinks will be much simpler. He has Cyrus Spoon place an ad in the paper for a wife. Mr. Spoon will choose the best applicants and then Horatio would choose his wife from among them. It was to be a marriage of convenience for Horatio, so all the better to handle it like a business deal.

Horatio leaves London to spend time with his friend, Baron Jonathan Kincaide. On his way there, Horatio meets a mysterious woman dressed in men's clothing. As he admired her voluptuous figure clad in the tight men's clothing, he wondered what she could be doing alone on the road to Barrister Hall.

Anabel Satterley's destination was also Barrister Hall. Her father had vanished in Egypt and Anabel had made her way to England alone, dressed in her father's clothing as a disguise. She had no one to turn to except her childhood friend, Marsipal Kincaide, wife of Baron Jonathan Kincaide. The stern-faced Horatio frightened her a little but was also very intriguing.

The two make their way to Barrister Hall together. As the days pass Horatio and Anabel rub each other the wrong way quite often, but they also feel a growing attraction for each other. Anabel knows about Horatio's need for a marriage of convenience but she could never be happy with that. Anabel will only marry for love.

Things become complicated when three of Horatio's marriage applicants are invited to Barrister Hall for his inspection. He can't keep from comparing them to Anabel and none of them measure up. His wards, Emily and Elyse are also there to add their opinions on the matter as well.

Horatio realizes too late that Anabel is the one he wants. A marriage trap has been laid and Horatio must get out of it before he loses Anabel to the dashing Devereax Ballanger.

This was an excellent story. The characters are so real. You're kept on the edge until the very end wondering how Horatio and Anabel can overcome the obstacles in their way. When you do get to the end, it's very satisfying and well done.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Renee Burnette
September 8, 2003