A Sinner without a Saint
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
An honorable artist
Benedict Pennington’s greatest ambition is not to paint a masterpiece, but to make the world’s greatest art accessible to all by establishing England’s first national art museum. Success in persuading a reluctant philanthropist to donate his collection of Old Master paintings brings his dream tantalizingly close to reality. Until Viscount Dulcie, the object of Benedict’s illicit adolescent desire, begins to court the donor’s granddaughter, set on winning the paintings for himself . . .
A hedonistic viscount
Sinclair Milne, Lord Dulcie, far prefers collecting innovative art and dallying with handsome men than burdening himself with a wife. But when rivals imply Dulcie’s refusal to pursue wealthy Miss Adler and her paintings is due to lingering tender feelings for Benedict Pennington, Dulcie vows to prove them wrong. Not only will he woo her away from the holier-than-thou painter, he’ll also placate his matchmaking father in the process.
Sinner and saint—can both win at love?
But when Benedict is dragooned into painting his portrait, Dulcie finds himself once again drawn to the intense artist. Can the sinful viscount entice the wary painter into a casual liaison, one that will put neither their reputations, nor their feelings, at risk? Or will the not-so-saintly artist demand something far more vulnerable—his heart?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bennett's fourth Pennington romance introduces complicated gay characters who face down social conventions in 19th-century England. Incorrigibly glib Sinclair "Dulcie" Milne faces extreme pressure to marry well from his father, Lord Milne. He is goaded into betting that he can woo Polly Adler and inherit her grandfather's extensive art collection, but his interests lie elsewhere with his former schoolmate and artist, Benedict Pennington. Benedict engages in a parallel campaign to convince the Adlers to found a public art museum with their collection. The two men share a deep attraction, butting heads as they meet socially and Dulcie canvasses for Benedict's brother's parliamentary campaign. Impressed by the artistic realism of Benedict's work, Dulcie talks Benedict into painting his portrait. The more serious, relationship-minded Benedict uses their posing sessions to wear down Dulcie's flippancy and draw him into a hesitant romance. Several twists and turns delay their happy ending. This pleasing romance highlights the complications of premodern gay desires, rounding out its story with precise historical flair and genuine feelings. (BookLife)
