Synopsis
Emma Arlen
has spent a decade as a member of the duke’s family, in the position of
companion to his daughter and ward to the duke himself. She would do
anything to show her support to the ducal family for their love and
kindness. When Lady Josephine begs Emma to distract a most determined
Sicilian suitor, she agrees at once. How hard can it be to keep one man
entertained for a few weeks?
Luca, the Conte di Atella, left his
home in the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the direct
orders of King Ferdinand I. Luca’s duty as ambassador to England
includes everything from negotiating better trade agreements to
strengthening the bonds between the two nations. If possible, by
marrying a lady of high birth. When he optimistically sets his sights on
Lady Josephine, Miss Arlen consistently disrupts his plans. The more time
that passes, the more he realizes he does not mind at all.
Continually
in the conte’s company, Emma recognizes in him a spirit of adventure
and nobility like she has never witnessed before. When the time comes
for him to go, will she be able to part with him and keep her heart
intact?
My Review
This is a lovely gentle romance with sweet scenes and a character-driven plot. There is a bit of a climax at the end relating to Luca's ambassadorship, but for the most part we get to join the family of the duke at Clairvoir castle as they host the Italian ambassador. Luca and Emma both have formal manners, and his interest in Josephine gives them more time to get to know one another as friends, which provides a foundation of trust and respect when their affection grows into something more. They each believe they are not worthy of the other, which adds to the dilemma they face. Overall, a nice addition to the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next book with a spicier set of main characters.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
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