The Persistent Earl

[vintageromancereader]

The Growing Temptation

Beautiful young widow Lady Phoebe Brodfield could not conceive that the Earl of Devenham might threaten her virtue. True, the earl was the most handsome rakehell in the realm, whom no woman could resist. True, Phoebe was a guest in the same London mansion as he, with no way to avoid his burning gaze. But the fire in his eyes came from fever, for the earl had been badly injured in war. And this man who lay helpless in a sickbed could not possibly pose a threat to a woman who, betrayed in marriage, vowed never to love again.

Phoebe did not reckon with the law of nature, however. Time heals all wounds, and as the earl grew stronger, so did the danger of his rampant desire - and as Phoebe's once broken heart mended, her defenses melted away...

Original Publisher: Signet
Original Year of Publication: 1995
Page Count: 220

That summary is pretty salacious for what turned out to be a deeply emotional novel. Lady Phoebe Brodfield is still in mourning, 18 months after the sudden, unexpected death of her young husband. Scandal abounded when his body was discovered outside a nunnery in Covent Garden. Phoebe was so distressed that she literally hid herself away from the world, moving in with her sister Judith to serve as an unpaid companion and governess to her passel of nieces and nephews. Only Judith, her husband Edward, and their family are even aware that Phoebe is staying with them; as far as the rest of Society goes, Phoebe fell off the face of the earth.

This all changes when Major John Allen Jameson, Earl of Devenham, returns seriously injured from Waterloo. Too far from his own estates, and with few married men among his friends, he begs succor with anyone willing to take him on. Edward Allington is the friend who invites him to stay at his London home to recuperate from his injuries, albeit not without protest from Judith and Phoebe. Devenham's reputation as a rakehell is notorious, and there is danger to the ladies' reputations when it becomes known that he will be staying with them. Devenham is both injured and ill from resulting infection when he arrives at their home; he can't do anyone much harm considering he's barely conscious.

Phoebe is struck by his preternatural attractiveness, but is determined that she will not be a bored peer's plaything due to proximity. What she doesn't expect is that when he wakes up and begins to recover, he is absolutely nothing like his reputation foretold. The man himself is quiet and thoughtful. He knows how to play the game, but Phoebe makes it quite clear she's having none of that, and he basically leaves her alone. He's curious about her - he's been away at war for over two years, and has no idea of her marriage and its scandalous end. She's far too pretty to be hiding away from the world, but that's her right.

Phoebe attends her late father in law's commemoration and is shocked to learn that he left her an estate in his will, considering her late husband's brother is still quite alive and well. Richard Brodfield also has a very dark reputation; his is quite well-earned, and once he learns of her whereabouts, he immediately starts hounding Phoebe to sell her estate to him. He's not a man to take no for an answer, and things deteriorate quickly as he presses his claim.

Devenham doesn't like Richard and sets out to discover why he's in such urgent need of Phoebe's estate. He's certain that unravelling the mystery of Richard will be the key to unlocking Phoebe's heart, as it becomes obvious that Richard knows more than he's letting on about his brother's death and the subsequent scandals that have blackened his name. Devenham doesn't like what he finds, and ends up being kidnapped(!) for his troubles - and its up to Phoebe, Judith, and Edward to find him before it's too late.

There is a lot to like about this story. The leads are quite well drawn. Phoebe's world was turned upside down at the tender age of twenty. She's questioning everything she ever knew about herself after her husband's death, and her attraction to Devenham is only making those questions harder and more uncomfortable to answer. Devenham presents her with a second chance at love, if only she's willing to overcome her fear and her barriers to take it.

Devenham has his own problems. He has PTSD not only from his war experiences, but from growing up with a cruel elder brother. He was never meant to inherit the earldom, and finds it easier to live down to his reputation than to otherwise be his authentic self. He's quite charming and well aware of his own attractiveness, and has in the past used this to further his interests. He was never a great believer in love or marriage until he meets Phoebe, and has an inside look at his friend Edward's loving household. He is a reluctant war hero.

The cast is rounded out by a passel of children, who are quite adorable in their own right; Devenham's fiercely loyal man Mullins; various servants; and an adorable puppy as well as stray cats!

Richard is truly an awful villain, who's done some crazy shit in his pursuit of Phoebe (including but not limited to murdering his own brother and father). The final kidnapping was an interesting twist - Devenham was the victim, instead of Phoebe - and necessary for the resolution of all the threads of the plot, but I would love to read something quiet and more introspective from this author. She can write emotion incredibly well. I will definitely be seeking out more of her work!

⭐⭐⭐⭐