TITLE: The Marquess Method
SERIES: The Beautiful Barringtons #3
AUTHOR: Kathleen Ayers
RATING:
STEAM:
THE SYNOPSIS
Lady Theodosia Barrington is practically begging to be ruined.
That’s the assumption of the Marquess of Haven after spying Theodosia at a house party given by the Duke of Granby. After his father left him little else but a title and a crumbling estate, Haven is in desperate need of an heiress. Not only is Theodosia rich as Croesus and beautiful, but she’s also a Barrington. Her brothers are the Duke of Averell and Leo Murphy, the two men Haven holds responsible for his financial difficulties.
Theodosia is the solution to all of Haven’s problems. Lady Theodosia has long been infatuated with the Earl of Blythe. In an effort to prove her affection and, perhaps, induce him to offer for her, Theodosia paints a scandalous self-portrait of herself for Blythe as a gift. The small token of affection is incredibly improper. She regrets sending the miniature to Blythe almost immediately. Desperate to save her reputation before it can be destroyed by her own stupidity, Theodosia makes another rash decision. Retrieve the miniature from Blythe's home.
Except, it isn't Blythe she finds waiting for her, but Haven. And her own ruination.
That’s the assumption of the Marquess of Haven after spying Theodosia at a house party given by the Duke of Granby. After his father left him little else but a title and a crumbling estate, Haven is in desperate need of an heiress. Not only is Theodosia rich as Croesus and beautiful, but she’s also a Barrington. Her brothers are the Duke of Averell and Leo Murphy, the two men Haven holds responsible for his financial difficulties.
Theodosia is the solution to all of Haven’s problems. Lady Theodosia has long been infatuated with the Earl of Blythe. In an effort to prove her affection and, perhaps, induce him to offer for her, Theodosia paints a scandalous self-portrait of herself for Blythe as a gift. The small token of affection is incredibly improper. She regrets sending the miniature to Blythe almost immediately. Desperate to save her reputation before it can be destroyed by her own stupidity, Theodosia makes another rash decision. Retrieve the miniature from Blythe's home.
Except, it isn't Blythe she finds waiting for her, but Haven. And her own ruination.
He leaned forward, the scent of spice filling the air. “I think about kissing you every moment of every day.” He spoke without hesitation, the husky quality of his voice hovering over her limbs before sinking into her chest. “I’ve kissed you a total of four times, and I’m being generous in counting that chaste peck we shared in front of the vicar. I would have kissed you much sounder except I didn’t want Pith to take my head off. If I’m not thinking of the way you taste, or the small sounds you make when I hold you, it is only because I’m asleep. But even then, I dream of you.”
THE REVIEW
The third installment of the Beautiful Barrington's series was a good read, but not my favorite so far.
Haven is out for revenge, but it felt like a weak excuse for him to want revenge for. His father gambled away everything in the wake of his wife's death, but there is nothing that implicates Theodosia's brothers as doing anything other than owing the hell where he lost most of it. So it felt like a bit of a stretch. But, Haven falls for Theodosia right away so its a win-win for him! Unfortunately, she is obsessed with his friend the Earl of Blythe. Even after Haven and Theo kiss and the sparks fly, she is still convinced Blythe is the one for her. And she doesn't let Haven forget it, even after they are married, which makes her kind of sound petty and mean. They get married because they were caught in a compromising situation, but their attraction to each other is obvious!
The story definitely was more interesting as the plot went along; some good twists at the end to bring the story together better; some I didn't see coming!
Theodosia was the most dazzling of all the stars in Ambrose’s sky. Guiding him, like the north star, directly to her and no one else.
TROPES
Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Ton Society, Alpha Hero, Grumpy Hero, Protective Hero, Titled Hero, Artist Heroine, Heiress Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Enemies to Lovers, Angst Romance, Revenge Trope, Secrets & Lies, Four Star, Three Flame
HistoricalRomance, VictorianEra, TonSociety, AlphaHero, GrumpyHero, ProtectiveHero, TitledHero, ArtistHeroine, HeiressHeroine, VirginHeroine, EnemiestoLovers, AngstRomance, RevengeTrope, SecretsandLies, FourStar, ThreeFlame
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