Summary
Lesson #1: Never Tempt a Lady Become a bride? Never! Lady Marianne Shelton has come to London to experience life, and marriage is not part of her plan. To finance her independent future, the pretty country miss pens a series of anonymous stories. Soon they are the talk of the ton-and only she knows that her wicked hero is based on none other than bold, brash Thomas Effington, the future Duke of Roxborough.
Lesson #2: Never Deny a Marquess, Thomas has been thrust into le of Marianne's protector. When she threatens to experience life with the first willing rogue to come along, he decides the best recourse is to tutor her himself. And when he accidentally compromises her honor, he's willing to accept their only recourse: a wedding. Marianne claims she wants no part of marriage, but her intoxicating allure and disarming willingness make her irresistible. And now Thomas is determined to teach her a lesson: that true love will last forever.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Bubbling with both humor and romantic tension from the hero and heroine's first encounter to their final embrace, this cunning tale of an adventure-seeking bluestocking and the "respectable rake" who tries to curb her activities will put satisfied sparkles in the eyes of romance readers. When a trio of sisters, related to Lord Helmsley through marriage, descends on his house for their first London season, Helmsley is confident he can marry them off quickly and return to his own pursuits. But the eldest sister, Marianne, wants to "experience life" and undertake exotic adventures without the hindrance of a stuffy husband. To attain financial independence, she pens anonymous, "absolutely true" newspaper stories about a nave miss and her Heathcliff-like guardian. Adding spice to her column, Marianne proposes that Helmsley teach her about kissing and such before she turns to another man for lessons. Helmsley not so reluctantly agrees, but when he feels he's obligated to propose marriage, Marianne turns him down flat. A delightful battle of wits ensues as Marianne attempts to reconcile her desire for adventure with her newfound affection. Alexander (The Husband List) is a rising star in the Regency arena, and her fan base can only grow with this rollicking romance. (May 8) Forecast: Dispelling the notion that Regencies are on the decline, fans of Julia Quinn and Christina Dodd will turn out in full force for this pleasantly fresh read. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Library Journal Review
Faced with the chore of looking after his brother-in-law's three country-bred sisters during their first London Season, Thomas Effington, Marquess of Helmsley, hits upon a plan to reduce his inconvenience he simply will find matches for them as quickly as possible. But Lady Marianne Shelton has no desire to be married off. After all, she is an aspiring writer and intends to have adventures and experience life instead of being tied down by a husband. But when her first adventure turns out to involve a bit too much brandy, a stolen kiss, and her very attractive host and eventually evolves into "lessons in life," she suddenly finds herself reassessing her goals. "An aging, intelligent, bluestocking" spinster heroine who likes it that way, an arrogant, "respectable rake" who learns more from his "lessons" than he teaches, and two delightful sisters who are surely destined for stories of their own combine in a lively, laughter-laced, sensual Regency romp that has a bit more to it than some. The snippets from Marianne's anonymous newspaper column, "The Absolutely True Adventures of a Country Miss in London," which introduce selected chapters, are an added plus. Alexander (The Husband List) has written several earlier romances and lives in Omaha, NE. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
The Marriage Lesson Chapter One Spring 1819 "Blast it all last it all, I'm a marquess, not a bloody governess." Thomas Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley and future Duke of Roxborough, drained the glass of brandy he held in his hand and promptly poured another. Randall, Viscount Beaumont, studied him over the rim of his own glass. "You've mentioned that already this evening. Several times, in fact." "It bears repeating." Thomas sank into a wing chair identical to the one his friend occupied. Both were angled toward the massive oak desk that had well served the previous eight Dukes of Roxborough. For a moment he considered suggesting they move to the sofa facing the fireplace at the far end of the long Effington House library. In spite of the fine spring day, the evening was cool and the warmth of the fire would be welcome. Still, these chairs were closer to the cabinet that housed his father's supply of spirits and their proxirnity was more important than mere creature comfort. Thomas drew a long, appreciative swallow. There was a great deal of warmth to be had right here. "I ask you, Rand, how can my family possibly expect me to find a bride-their idea, mind you, not mine--if I'm also expected to play nursemaid?" "I'd scarce call it playing nursemaid. Or perhaps I've misunderstood." Rand glanced wryly at his drink. "It's entirely possible I've overlooked some of the finer details of your dilemma." "It's quite simple." Thomas heaved a heartfelt sigh and launched into a recitation he thought he'd already given at least once tonight, although at the moment he was not entirely certain. "Last year my sister, Gillian, married Richard, the Earl of Shelbrooke. You know him, don't you?" "I know of him." "He promised his three youngest sisters--they've been raised in the country--a season in London, with all the stuff and nonsense such a thing entails to women. My mother--" "Ah, yes, the Duchess of Roxborough," Rand said, "and a woman not to be trifled with, if rumor serves." "None of the Effington women are to be trifled with. From my grandmother to my youngest cousins, they are stubborn and opinionated to the last." Thomas glared at his glass. "My mother had planned to take Richard's sisters under her wing personally and had gone so far as to arrange for a come-out ball for them. It seems my sister was something of a disappointment to her when she married her first husband after only one season. It was all my mother could do to keep from drooling at the very thought of steering not one but three young women through the rigors of a first season. And as an added bonus, I'd finally agreed to seriously look for a bride." He narrowed his eyes. "She was quite beside herself with glee at the thought of it all." Rand snorted with ill-concealed amusement. Thomas slumped deeper in his chair. "Unfortunately, my parents are no longer in England, and I've been forced into the temporary role of head of the family, with all the accompanying headaches and responsibilities." "Pity. Are you up to it?" "When it comes to handling estate concerns or family business or my own financial affairs, for that matter, I haven't a worry. Effington men may well spend their nights in questionable pursuits, but we are remarkably competent when it comes to the maintenance and increase of the family fortune. Runs in the blood." He grinned and raised his glass in a salute. "Even my more disreputable ancestors didn't squander whatever wealth they'd stolen." Rand laughed and lifted his glass. "To the Effington ancestors, then." He took a sip. "A shame the Beaumonts can't say the same. Now, where have the duke and duchess gone?" "America." Thomas grimaced. "Richard and Gillian inherited a great deal of property in that godforsaken land and for some absurd reason wanted to see it in person. While there, Richard had the nerve to get her with child." "Damned inconsiderate of him." "I thought so. And he calls himself my friend." Thomas pulled a long sip and considered the events of the last year. He'd been delighted when his dearest friend had fallen in love with his sister. And no one could have been more pleased than Thomas when the couple had been the beneficiary of a substantial inheritance. Now, however, he did wish Richard's timing had been better. "When my mother learned of Gillian's state, not more than a month ago, she insisted on going to be with her rather than having Gillian risk the voyage home. First grandchild, and all that." "And the duke went with her?" Thomas nodded. "He's never been to America and apparently has a much more adventurous streak than I'd ever credited him with." "Bad piece of luck there. Still, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought England was riddled with Effingtons. Surely there's some other relation, preferably female, who can shepherd these girls around for the season?" "One would think, but this year they all seem to have scattered to the four comers of the earth, One branch of the family is hanging about old ruins somewhere--Greece, I believe. Richard's oldest sister and her husband are in Paris, and everyone else in the family is too taken up with their own affairs to lend any assistance whatsoever. In short, old man, I'm trapped. Saddled with the responsibility of launching three girls onto the choppy seas of society." Thomas blew a long breath. "As well as fulfilling a promise to find a bride of my own this season." "What on earth possessed you?" "Oh, the usual reasons," Thomas said grimly. "I'm three and thirty. My father, my mother and even my sister delight in pointing out to me the need . . . The Marriage Lesson . Copyright © by Victoria Alexander. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold. Excerpted from The Marriage Lesson by Victoria Alexander All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.