I had such fun reading this book. It’s one of those light, heart-warming, and funny stories that endears you to its characters right off. It keeps you smiling and chuckling, though you know that dark moment has to come for Gideon and Winnefred. So the anticipation mixed with the fun and laughter makes for a lovely afternoon of reading.
This is the first book in Alissa Johnson’s new series, and I, for one, am happy to know there’s more to come.
Here’s the summary:
The woman makes the man…
Winnefred Blythe learned at a young age to make do with very little. After the death of her father, she taught herself to live on a pauper’s allowance—until a charming visitor promises her the funds that had been stolen from her through the years. But Freddie isn’t comfortable with the trappings of money—or the attentions of a stranger from London…
But can a man make a lady?
After the war, Lord Gideon Haverston resolved to never again burden himself with the troubles of others. Still, he was expecting to be greeted as a hero by the tough young woman his stepmother cheated out of house and home, not suspected as a conspirator. Indeed, the situation is more complicated than Gideon had expected—and the task of taming Winnefred Blythe, much more alluring…
Now meet Gideon and Winnefred as they discuss her friend, Lilly.
She shifted her weight and placed her hands behind her back as if to keep from fidgeting. “I want you to understand that what I am about to say doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for what you’ve done, or that I don’t like you. It’s only that I like Lilly more. She is, for all that we are not related by blood, my sister.”
Gideon nodded again, unsure of where she was taking the conversation. “Of course she is.”
“She is very excited about this trip.”
“I’ve no doubt that’s true.”
“She has built enormous expectations around it.”
“Only natural.”
“She has. . .” She pressed her lips together in frustration. “She is now in a position of. . .”
“Spit it out, Winnefred.”
“Right.” She nodded once, tipped her chin up and stared him straight in the eye. “If anyone hurts or disappoints her in London, any one at all, for any reason at all, I shall cut out your heart and eat it raw.”
“Ah.” He didn’t doubt for a second she would try. He felt the nearly irrepressible, and assuredly ill-advised, urge to laugh. “What makes you think I’d allow harm to come to either of you?”
“Nothing’s made me think it. I just wanted you to be aware that I am holding you personally accountable for Lilly’s happiness.”
“That’s a bit much to pin on a man, don’t you think?”
She thought it over. “No.”
“I see.” He felt his lips twitch despite the effort to keep them still. “Well, I’ll do my best to insure that Lilly has her happiness and that my internal organs remain. . .internal.”
She nodded, apparently satisfied. “Thank you. And I do apologize for the necessity of the discussion.”
“You are welcome, and forgiven.” He turned and began walking away, but made it no more than three feet before he gave in to his amusement and turned back again.
“Why raw?”
“Why. . .I’m sorry?”
“Why eat my heart raw?” He repeated. “It’s such an odd qualifier, as if it were assumed I’d prefer it first be roasted and smothered in a fine plum sauce.”
“Plum sauce?” Her mouth fell open, and a bubble of laughter escaped from her throat. “I think you are mad.”
“I’m curious. Would the act of cooking really render the deed less barbaric? And what of the rest of dining etiquette? Is anything permissible? Silverware, for example, or napkins? A seat at the table and a glass of port?”
Her amber eyes began to dance with humor, her lips trembled with suppressed laughter. “I’m going to take my leave now. Good day, Lord Gideon.”
“Could there be side dishes and lively conversation?” He lifted his voice as she spun on her heel and walked away from him, Claire shuffling along at her side. “’Pass the rolls Mrs. Butley, and another helping of Lord Gideon’s raw heart. No, no, just use your fingers, dear, he’s being punished.”
