This was a lovely and charming sequel novella to Erin Langston’s Forever Your Rogue. If you haven’t read Forever Your Rogue yet, you really should. You will understand Gavin’s reluctance to endanger Emilia’s reputation, and if you enjoy a man who falls head first into love and domesticity, Nate is that in spades.
Gavin Sinclair is Cora’s brother, the barrister who worked tirelessly on her suit to reclaim guardianship of her children from the relatives intent on bleeding her son’s inheritance dry. Since succeeding on Cora’s case, Gavin has focused exclusively on work, to the point that Cora and Nate, Now Mr. & Mrs. Travers, are concerned about his well-being. Cora insists that Gavin join them at Aldworth Park for Christmas.
Emilia Davis is a governess who has just been let go, and miraculously hired by a family who invite her to join them for Christmas. (You know who the family is, right?).
Both are stranded for the night at an Inn by a storm. The innkeeper has decided to start the Christmas festivities with much beer, mince pies, music and dancing. Emilia and Gavin meet, not knowing they have a connection, and after she dumps his beer on his head, they agree to set aside their usual concerns and enjoy the evening as strangers. When kisses get heated, Gavin realizes he can’t set aside the knowledge of the harm he could do Emilia and leaves her standing in the snow. Emilia thinks he took a sudden dislike. When they meet again at Aldworth Park, she is horrified and he is delighted. Neither is particularly subtle, so Cora and Nate have a clue that something is going on.
Erin Langston is a good new author for fans of Courtney Milan’s earlier work. She is well aware of the precarious position of women in Regency England. Gavin wants to be able to help more women, but the opportunity may come at the cost of harming one woman. Gavin’s dilemma doesn’t stop him from crashing into love. The conversation they have near the end about dreams is swoon worthy.
I received this as an advance reader copy from the author. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.