The heart-breakingly handsome Duke of Tynemouth is appalled to find that his torrid affaire d'coeur with the alluring Aline, Countess of Langstone, is destined to end, because Queen Victoria insists that he marries one of Prince Albert's German relatives, who is fat and ugly. To refuse is unthinkable, so, in desperation, he agrees to pre-empt his Monarch by cynically marrying Aline's innocent young niece, Honora. The beautiful Honora is horrified at the prospect of marrying a man she has never met, let alone love, but she has little choice. Heartbroken and facing a life without the love she has always dreamt about, a husband who seems to hate her and a wedding night she dreads, she flees and falls prey to an even worse fate. Now that he might lose her forever, the Duke realises that it is not hate for Honora that beats in his heart. It is love But has his awakening come too late? This description may be from another edition of this product.
Unusual that in this story the Duke of Tynmouth was not all that nice. I didn't think I would ever warm up to him but the sweet Honora shows him that women can be loving, intelligent and caring (and not just in bed). The Duke was spoiled by all the adulation that men and women sent his way and meeting an unspoiled, unimpressed young woman threw him. The villianous Aunt Ailene was an intriguing character who eventually got her due. A quick fun read. I love to read a Cartland for a quick uplifting story.