Derek Holbrook’s father is dying. He and his younger brother, Andrew, are home from Eton. A girl walks through the hall of their home. Derek is entranced. Clementine Grey’s father, Rupert, is Viscount Banfield’s very good friend. Rupert meets with his friend and leaves Clementine with the brothers. As an American, she finds their humor and manners strange. Derek is summoned to spend time with his father. He promises to care for the estate, his family, and cousins. One more thing, he’s been betrothed to Clementine. In seven years, they will be wed. Derek anxiously awaits the day. He’s fallen deeply in love with her and lives for her letters. When she does arrive, six days before the wedding, she’s hoping to cancel it. Derek will receive the three million pound payout, as the fathers agreed. He needs the money. She has a Persian friend, Nasser, who has promised her a life of her own. After witnessing her parents’ loveless marriage, she decides not to wed and never to have children. She smokes, paints, and wishes to travel. Derek is shocked, but agrees to let her go, if she spends one night with him. Her perception of sex includes the pronouncement that women get pregnant through kissing. He also wants her to leave him a painting of the two of them entwined. After she complains about him always being in charge and control, she leaves. Nasser convinces her to marry Derek. She goes through with it, but admits she would have run off with Nasser. Derek searches for Nasser and confronts him. He and Clementine are not lovers, just friends. Derek doesn’t believe him until Nasser reveals a guarded secret. A French courtesan agrees to help the married couple navigate compromise and freedom in their relationship. They take her advice and work out their differences.
Derek and Andrew have different goals. Andrew lashes out and leaves the family. He’s in dire financial straits and involved with merciless people. He’s written to be the opposite of Derek, but the chances he takes are life threatening. His antics are over the top.
I didn’t understand Clementine’s relationship with Nasser. She wants to be independent and in control of her life. He offers her neither. He’s a secret to her father and threatens her relationship with Derek. I found the French woman’s instructions unhelpful. She isn’t making them a couple, just making Derek obey orders. Nothing loving or tender about it.
Clementine puts herself and Derek in dangerous and scandalous situations. She is spoiled as opposed to independent. Her father has given her free rein and she insists everyone does the same. Derek’s emotions are real. He is in love with her. I felt he could do better than Clementine.
**ARC provided by Author**
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