"enjoyable historical romance"

Harriet Ward's family has been in a dire financial situation ever since her father died. The new assistant at the bank has been pressing her family to pay off their loan but they won't have the money for several months. The assistant refused to give them any extensions until Harriet's mother came up with a fiancé. He's supposed to be a rich sea captain and due back into town in a couple of months. Once the bank officials hear of this news they gladly give them their extensions. The problem now is that the officials told their wives who then in turn gossiped to everyone in town. Now everyone is expecting Harriet's fiancé to show up.

Chase St. John is a spoiled child of privilege. He's spent most of his life doing exactly as he wants. One night he goes out drinking with a supposed friend and on their way back from drinking and gambling he hits a woman with his carriage. Thinking the worst, Chase lets his guilt get the best of him and start to drink non-stop. Finally he decides to leave the country to spare his family the embarrassment of what he had done. On his way, he is waylaid by thieves and left for dead. The Wards are coming back from town when they come across an unconscious Chase. They bring him back to their home and call for a doctor.

Chase doesn't want anyone to know where he is since his family has a home nearby. Once he awakens he pretends to not know who he is and Harriet's mother sees this as an opportunity too good to pass up. She tells him that he is none other than Harriet's sea captain fiancé. Now the fun really starts.

This was an enjoyable historical romance. The attraction between the two main characters was immediate and enjoyable to read about. Chase was a flawed hero but still easy to care about. Harriet was a proper heroine but not annoyingly so.

Reviewed by Emily Anne
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted August 14, 2004

Summary

Does she dare?

To save her family from ruin, Harriet Ward invented a fiancé—a handsome, wealthy sea captain. But now the bank wants proof of the elusive captain's existence. Just as Harriet despairs, fate drops a mysterious stranger into her arms, a man she believes has no idea of his own identity...Does Harriet dare convince the disturbingly handsome stranger that he is her fiancé? And if she does, what will be the cost?

Will he win?

Chase St. John knows exactly who he is. While quitting London to protect his family from scandal, Chase is waylaid by footpads and left for dead. Awakening in the care of the enchanting Miss Harriet Ward, Chase is astonished when the tempting maid brazenly announces that he is her long-awaited betrothed. Chase, ever a rogue, decides to dally and play the part of adoring lover for a price—heated kisses and more. But the price is rich, indeed, when it might mean losing his own heart.