This is another winner by M A Nichols. Charlotte is the daughter of a baronet, aged 30. She is a spinster. Matthew Bixby is a mill owner who is too busy to search for a wife. He has come up the hard way and has lots of rough edges. He's looking for a partner to help him with the social aspects of his business, at which he does not excel.
Bixby sends his man of business out to find a refined lady who would marry him (sight unseen). When Charlotte receives Bixby's letter (from the hand of the man of business), she realizes this may be her last chance to marry. Her father is about to marry his next wife (a child of 16), and Charlotte knows what her life will be like. She has had other stepmothers. So, Charlotte accepts the marriage offer.
This is the story of how Charlotte and Matthew meld into a family. It is delightful reading. My only complaint was the dragging of the story before the riot (and the results that ended the story). This author never disappoints. I wish she would write faster because I'm coming to the end of her booklist. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
Bixby sends his man of business out to find a refined lady who would marry him (sight unseen). When Charlotte receives Bixby's letter (from the hand of the man of business), she realizes this may be her last chance to marry. Her father is about to marry his next wife (a child of 16), and Charlotte knows what her life will be like. She has had other stepmothers. So, Charlotte accepts the marriage offer.
This is the story of how Charlotte and Matthew meld into a family. It is delightful reading. My only complaint was the dragging of the story before the riot (and the results that ended the story). This author never disappoints. I wish she would write faster because I'm coming to the end of her booklist. Overall score = 4.5 stars.
