Captain Charles Wyvern owes Major Richardson his life as the man died protecting Charles. Charles knows the best way to honor Richardson is to honor his dying wish. Rich asked Charles to watch over and protect his fiancée along with telling her how much she is loved. As Charles tries to fulfill his duty to Rich, he learns that his uncle has died and he will become the new Earl of Rothwell.
When Charles and the women arrive to his new manor home in Devon, they discover the estate is need of repair. He finds that he is the guardian of three orphan girls. Charles feels overwhelmed because he knows how to handle the affairs of war but, not young women or being on land. Charles wishes to provide for Sophie so, he proposes a marriage of convenience.
Sophie goes along with Charles's plan to help care for her ailing mother-in-law along with the orphans while giving her freedom. The marriage will give the captain a chance to repay his debt while allowing Sophie to grieve. As a part of their arrangement, Sophie will stay behind to oversee his property and the children while he returns to the sea.
As they try to move on, the captain is arrested for smuggling. As Charles waits in jail, Sophie realizes how much she loves him. She is willing to put everything on the line to protect their freedom and gain his love.
This was the third book in the series and it was an enjoyable read. The novel could be read as a standalone. I was a bit disheartened that characters from the other books didn't really make much of an appearance. I am curious to know which character will be the next focus.
**Disclosure
- I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest
opinion.**
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Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business--or will it turn into something more?
Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his
life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the
process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Wyvern to
escort the man's grieving fiance and mother safely to a new cottage home
by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has
fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the
Earl of Rothwell.
When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they
discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards
of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties
he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia
Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience.
Sophie is surprised to find she isn't opposed to the idea. It will help
her care for her betrothed's elderly mother, and she's already fallen in
love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a
chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well
as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea
commission, she'll stay behind to oversee his property and wards.
It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion
of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he's come to mean to her.
Now she'll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for
his love.
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Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top
pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and
watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in
Rochester, Minnesota.
Learn more about Erica at www.ericavetsch.com or find her on Facebook.