reviewed by
Jennifer Kahng
Lord Ryderbourne, eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Blackdown, is in need of a wife. One would think that being the next in line to be the head of the House of Blackdown would make it easier to find a suitable wife. But it seems Ryderbourne, or Ryder if you know him well, is a wee bit on the intimidating side. In fact, the lady he had just proposed to, and was rejected by, informed him that all the girls were frightened of him. What was a future duke to do?
Ride off in the pouring rain and sulk, apparently.
Incidentally, as Ryder sulked and seethed along the shoreline, he spied something in the turbulent waters. Showing just how forceful he could be, Ryder commanded his horse to practically fall down a slick, steep, and rocky bank and into the water to get to what he saw in the water: a woman in a dinghy, seemingly cast away.
A scantily clad woman. Who turns out to be Miracle Heather, a very skilled and quite well-known courtesan of London.
And, of course, Ryder and Miracle hit it off, though they both know their relationship can’t possibly be anything more than a Lord and his mistress.
As the story progresses, Miracle begins to really have feelings for Ryder, rather than just using her body to pay him back for all that he’s done for her. And she knows they’ll only be hurt in the end if they get involved. Miracle spends a great deal of time trying to figure out her own issues (i.e. why she was cast away in that dinghy in the first place) with Ryder hot on her heels, his nobility shining and his hormones raging.
Traveling together as “companions” in search of the reason Miracle was being chased, the pair grow closer despite their knowing it can’t last. Miracle’s pursuer catches up with them and when it seemed that all would be lost and their journey together would end, Ryder chose the one path he could take to ensure her safety: he married her.
It obviously wasn’t quite the way it should have happened. What kind of noble man would run off and marry a courtesan? But the members that make up the House of Blackdown aren’t what you would call a traditional noble family. The Duchess, though disappointed, eventually gives in and wields her power to ensure Miracle is looked upon as a woman who should receive sympathy and not scorn.
It all seems a little ridiculous at first, but as the story moves on, it becomes even more apparent that Miracle and Ryder were meant to be together. Ross manages to weave a story that, while a smidge light on plot complexity, is rich in environment, sensuality, adventure, and entertainment to give an overall interesting read.
