Marriage Most Scandalous
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4.3 • 259 Ratings
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsay presents a powerfully romantic Regency-era tale that is breathtaking in scope and wondrously passionate.
When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian's father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated—and neither can resist.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.
Customer Reviews
Really good read
I love this author and this book was particularly well written. I am annoyingly good at predicting endings. This book surprised me. Yes, it starts out slow but the preliminaries are important to the story line. Great characters, funny dialogue.
A great read
What a wonderful, funny and delightful book. The characters were perfect for each other and the story itself was well done. Was sad to see it end, but worth a re-read. One of her better books.
Good book but...
Takes a bit longer to get to the meat of the story than necessary. Great ending makes up for the slow start.