From Inside Cover: Caroline did not hesitate when Patrick Danvers made his proposal of marriage. "No," she said. "I have not the least intention of selling my person for dresses and pin money. Now if you will excuse me."
But Patrick refused to move aside. "You would not find it an unpleasnat experience, I think," he murmured. Then, to her utter horror, he grasped her shoulders, and before she realized his intent, he bent his head to hers. It was her first real kiss.
Resolutely, she stiffened, and pushed him away. He released her abruptly. "Your pardon, Miss Ashley--I should not have done that."
"I should think it all of a piece," she choked when she found her voice. "'Tis expected of Devil Danvers!"
But what Caroline had not expected--though she did not say so--was what this devilish kiss had done to her....
I liked this story alot. The hero has a bad reputation, unjustly labeled. The heroine was likeable. There was a second libeled lord, that added some tension to the situation when it appeared he may be going after Caroline. I found Patrick's friend a bit annoying, as he was portrayed as a bit of a "slo-top". At the beginning of the story, we find Patrick somewhat antisocial. He has shunned the Polite Society, that has shunned him based on rumors. But he must marry and produce and heir within 1 yr to keep his inheritance, and his cousin turns him towards her companion. As Patrick's aquaintance with Caroline develops, he finds that he may want to be more a part of Polite Society than he ever thought before....
But Patrick refused to move aside. "You would not find it an unpleasnat experience, I think," he murmured. Then, to her utter horror, he grasped her shoulders, and before she realized his intent, he bent his head to hers. It was her first real kiss.
Resolutely, she stiffened, and pushed him away. He released her abruptly. "Your pardon, Miss Ashley--I should not have done that."
"I should think it all of a piece," she choked when she found her voice. "'Tis expected of Devil Danvers!"
But what Caroline had not expected--though she did not say so--was what this devilish kiss had done to her....
I liked this story alot. The hero has a bad reputation, unjustly labeled. The heroine was likeable. There was a second libeled lord, that added some tension to the situation when it appeared he may be going after Caroline. I found Patrick's friend a bit annoying, as he was portrayed as a bit of a "slo-top". At the beginning of the story, we find Patrick somewhat antisocial. He has shunned the Polite Society, that has shunned him based on rumors. But he must marry and produce and heir within 1 yr to keep his inheritance, and his cousin turns him towards her companion. As Patrick's aquaintance with Caroline develops, he finds that he may want to be more a part of Polite Society than he ever thought before....
No respectable young lady dared be seen in public with this man whose scandalous escapades quite overshadowed his startling good looks. Caroline Ashley was a very respectable young lady, but also with no one to protect her and no money to call her own. How could she resist...?
