This was an adventure! I very much loved Clarice as FMC, she was incredibly composed and regal. She reminded me of Honoria from the Cynster series. Jack was wonderful as well, he knew he couldn’t just take charge of Clarice so he assisted her in her triumphs instead. This novel has everything I love most about Laurens’ characters, the power that the women of her novels exhibit is so exquisite. One of my faves from Laurens!

This was an adventure! I very much loved Clarice as FMC, she was incredibly composed and regal. She reminded me of Honoria from the Cynster series. Jack was wonderful as well, he knew he couldn’t just take charge of Clarice so he assisted her in her triumphs instead. This novel has everything I love most about Laurens’ characters, the power that the women of her novels exhibit is so exquisite. One of my faves from Laurens!

Lord Jack is on his way home after escaping the London season. He comes upon a carriage accident. That is the first time he sees Lady Clarisa. She saw the accident happen. Another carriage ran him off the road and was about to finish the drive off when he spots Lady Clarisa looking very closely at him. He takes off when Jack rides upon them. This is the beginning of the storyline that will take them back to London to find out and clear the name of a friend and relative of Lady Clarisa's and f...

Lord Jack is on his way home after escaping the London season. He comes upon a carriage accident. That is the first time he sees Lady Clarisa. She saw the accident happen. Another carriage ran him off the road and was about to finish the drive off when he spots Lady Clarisa looking very closely at him. He takes off when Jack rides upon them. This is the beginning of the storyline that will take them back to London to find out and clear the name of a friend and relative of Lady Clarisa's and find the traitor who set the scene in motion .

Favorite scene with Clarice-

Telling off her ex by letting him have it in the balls. Classic. She sure knows how to take care of herself, despite the fact that she needs, and wants, a little help from Jack.

Favorite scene with Jack-

Trying to discover the identity of a certain man, first at the tavern, and then with urchins. This scene made me think that Jack wanted kids after this. He was so wonderful with the urchins. Jack is a people person. Always calm and gentle, never demanding...

Favorite scene with Clarice-

Telling off her ex by letting him have it in the balls. Classic. She sure knows how to take care of herself, despite the fact that she needs, and wants, a little help from Jack.

Favorite scene with Jack-

Trying to discover the identity of a certain man, first at the tavern, and then with urchins. This scene made me think that Jack wanted kids after this. He was so wonderful with the urchins. Jack is a people person. Always calm and gentle, never demanding. He got what he wanted out of them because of this.

Together-

Finally confessing their love for each other, both wanting each other and kids and to return to the countryside.

What did you like about Clarice-

Her strength, her stubborness, her bossiness. Changing. She was so stuck in her ways, but then changed for the better because of Jack. Everyone, almost everyone, loved her, and wanted and needed her help. She would do anything for anyone, especially her family. She never put herself first. Allowing, and wanting, Jack to save her. I love how she tries, even does so, puts the fear of God into people. She doesn't let gossip get to her. She holds her head up high and knows how to put people in their place without resorting to threats.

What didn't you like about Clarice-

There wasn't anything I didn't like about Clarice.

What did you like about Jack-

This was one tough warrior dude. It was so funny that the only thing that he was afraid of was matchmaking mamas and their daughters. Although he vowed never to marry and have kids, he wanted to marry Clarice and have kids with her. I love how at first, he was jealous that everyone wanted Clarice's help, and not his.

What didn't you like about Jack-

There wasn't anything I didn't like about Jack. Well, one thing, but it's not a dislike. It's more that he didn't want to marry and have kids. Although I'm a loner, and like being single right now, I do want to get married and have kids. I don't want to be alone the rest of my life.

Casting Jack, I'd cast Hugh Jackman.

Casting Clarice, I'd cast Kate Winslet.

He drew breath, and spoke quickly. “The truth is…I love you to distraction, and will move heaven and earth, and anything between, to make you mine.” She blinked, no doubt recalling what were almost exactly her own words, but now he’d taken the plunge, he found the rest came more easily. “I know that your family—Alton, Roger, Nigel, and all the rest—need you, that that need is real in its way, but I need you more.” He held her gaze steadily, and dropped every shield he possessed, every veil he...

He drew breath, and spoke quickly. “The truth is…I love you to distraction, and will move heaven and earth, and anything between, to make you mine.” She blinked, no doubt recalling what were almost exactly her own words, but now he’d taken the plunge, he found the rest came more easily. “I know that your family—Alton, Roger, Nigel, and all the rest—need you, that that need is real in its way, but I need you more.” He held her gaze steadily, and dropped every shield he possessed, every veil he’d used through the years to hide behind, something at which he’d grown exceedingly adept. “I have a manor house that’s been empty for too long, a rose garden with a bench that hasn’t had a lady to sit on it, to look over the blooms and play with her children, not for decades. “I know you care for your brothers, your wider family. I understand what they mean to you, perhaps even more because I’m an only child. Indeed, because I understand, there’s nothing I want more in life than to have a family of my own, with you. A quiverful of children—little girls just like you, imperious and haughty, who’ll order me around.” He lifted his shoulders in a half shrug. “And a few boys, too, perhaps more like me, to keep you and the girls occupied arranging our lives.” He saw the tears slowly fill her eyes, but didn’t pause, didn’t dare stop to learn why she was crying. “I suppose I should adhere to the usual prescription, but that hardly seems applicable to us.” He drew breath, and hurried on, “I want you in every imaginable way, but especially as my wife. I don’t want some meek and mild miss, some simpering ninny. I want you, just as you are, the you others don’t understand and are wary of, the you I’ve seen so clearly over the last weeks—that’s the you I appreciate and want and need. “I want you as you are, by my side for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.” He managed a small smile. “We’ve already encountered much of the worst of each other, and weathered it, and experienced sickness”—he gestured toward his head—“too. But more than all else, it’s you I want, not some marquess’s daughter, not a well-dowered bride, but just you.” Reaching out, he took her hands, shifted closer, looking down into her eyes, swimming in tears. “You know what I am. I’m not any kind of gentle man. Through the centuries, Warnefleets have always been warriors. Because of that, I don’t need any gentle lady as my wife, I need you as my warrior-queen. For me, only you will do. You’re the only lady I’ve ever even dreamed of having as my wife.” He dragged in a breath. “However, just so we’re clear, although I’m wealthy and wellborn, as you are, I don’t want to live a fashionable life in town. I’ve estates scattered the length and breadth of the country, and I enjoy running them, making them work. Taking good care of them, and the people they support. That, to me, is my rightful place.