Lady Theodora Worth is still grieving the loss of her grandfather when the family solicitor informs her that her estate may be in jeopardy. Her grandfather’s male heir is challenging her right to inherit the Earldom that could be inherited through the female line. He is not happy with only inheriting the Dukedom. Thea had taken care of her grandfather for seven years on her own as he became more senile and he hid the charter that conferred the estate on Thea. She seeks out her eccentric neighbour who agrees that Thea must marry to stop the gossip rampant in London. Thea has lived in isolation for years and has no idea how to conduct herself in society or how to find a groom. When Thea meets her neighbour’s nephew sparks fly, but she doesn’t wish to marry without love.
Lord William Cavensham had his heart broken years ago; he firmly believes the family fable that a Cavesham knows their true love at first sight. He has never forgotten how it felt to have his heart broken, and he has contented himself with assisting his family with the running of their estates. When his aunt summons him for immediate help, he is not expecting her to announce he is to marry. He sets out to advice his aunt’s neighbour of his intention not to wed when the beguiling woman declares she won’t marry him. He finds himself drawn To Thea and wanting to help her, but he can’t stop fantasising about having more than friendship.
This is the fifth book in Ms MacGregor’s Cavensham Heiresses’ series. I have read some of the previous books in this series, but each one can be read as a standalone. This series has been a mixed bag for me, some was an okay read, and I didn’t like another. this book was simply okay. I feel the author overly complicated matters. As a point of clarification to the author, Northumberland is in England, not Scotland. The main basis for the struggle in this book is the heroine has inherited a Scottish title along with an estate, but her grandfather’s male heir received the English title. Her estate is in Northumberland which is the topmost point of England bordering Scotland, English rules apply, so the entire plot is inaccurate. Even if the dukedom was Scotland the estate in dispute is not. This may seem like nitpicking, but it is a significant part of the book, I like accuracy.
Aside from the above, I liked the first fifty per cent of the book, but the plot began to drag after this with a lot of unnecessary filler. I like the characters they were both likeable people who were clearly meant to be together, but I need a story to hold my interest.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review all thoughts an opinions are my own.
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