Counting on a Countess: The London Underground

Kit: 3rd son without many expectations, distinguished himself in war and returned to find a newly-minted title of Earl. But that hardly sorts out his problems: the memories of war haunt him, his pursuits of pleasures to keep those memories at bay are expensive, and a bequest that could solve his money woes, allow him to fulfill a dream he relied on in war to keep him going forward. With a constant round of the ‘pleasures’ available, aftermath of war-time memories and losses, and a general ‘malaise’ that seems to dog his heels, he’s not only in need of something different – but Kit, the Earl of Blakemere is in need of a wife to gain the bequest and the money he needs to build his dreams and find some purpose in his life. Tamsyn Pearce is the daughter of a Baronet, with a manor house in Cornwall, an Aunt and Uncle who have taken up residence, and a desperate need to care for the small fishing village of the estate. Now some 26 years of age, she has been the organizer of a smuggling operation, established when she was 16 to provide for the village. Now, with the house falling down, her uncle threatening to sell and Tamsyn’s options bleak, she’s off to London to sell the latest cache of French Brandy and Lace. She’s also on the hunt for a husband for a purely business relationship: she’s in need of the name, protection and the money to buy her family home. These two are perfect for one another: Tamsyn’s beauty, her calm and forthright manner and curiosity spark something in Kit that has been long missing: and she’s quite amenable to a marriage of convenience: acquiring the title and freedom (after an heir) that Kit can provide. Never expecting real friendship, let alone love: the two are drawn to one another, even as situations change in unexpected ways. Growth, true feeling and tough decisions about one another, love, life’s journey and honesty all come into play here: showing maturity, heart, and both coming into their own in admitting their need for one another, and then finding a way to overcome obstacles in their desire to provide for others. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.