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Rating: 
Summary: Problematic Book; Earl not likable
Review: My feelings for this story ran hot and cold much like the Earl of Hellistone's feelings for his "forgotten wife." Young, disillusioned and drunk, Geoffrey de Maine has drowned his broken heart with brandy, then meets an innocent woman escaping the clutches of her guardian. The woman is Eleanor Glydon and Geoffrey proposes a scheme to free her from her guardian. They will use the special license in his pocket to marry! He has been spurned by the woman he loved and no longer needs it for her. They quickly run away from the inn (where Eleanor's guardian hoped to complete a tryst with her) and are married. A blissful wedding night follows although Eleanor had hoped to maintain some distance from Geoffrey. That encounter during the first 15 pages of the book will tell you that this is going to be a passionate pair. Except ... Geoffrey wakes up, assumes the woman in his bed is a Cyprian, throws a few coins on the bureau and leaves. Eight years later, Geoffrey is no longer a second son but the wealthy Earl of Hellistone. Almost on the eve of his betrothal ball, Eleanor shows up with the marriage lines and the ring he gave her at the wedding. She also has a surprise from the wedding night. A son, Phillip who has the de Maine looks. Geoffrey does accept both the son and his wife into his life. Although he seems to relish being a father, he is uncomfortable with the role of husband. He had wanted an open marriage and had decided to marry Alvinia, that woman who had rejected him eight years before. The problems with this book stem from my disbelief that Eleanor would run from her guardian (known) into the arms of an unknown man just because he says he "will take care of her." Doesn't the special license have a name on it - can anyone use it? Luckily for Eleanor, pregnant and destitute she faints where a wealthy recluse takes her in, cares for her and leaves all her money to her (REALLY!!!). (We only hear about it eight years later after the fact.). Although Eleanor is motivated to present her son to his father so he can take his place in society, she spends most of her time in London becoming the belle of the ball and tempting Geoffrey. This appeared to be strange behavior for a woman who really wanted a marriage of convenience. Geoffrey has very little redeeming character. He doesn't want to fall in love but makes passionate love to Eleanor as often as possible. He flaunts his mistresses including Alvinia. He abandons her in the beginning and abandons her several times eight years later. I didn't like him!!! This is good for a quick read if you can suspend your disbelief. The secondary characters were more interesting --
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