Novella 1: In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation (3.5 stars)
Novella 2: In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint (4.5 stars)
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
This book collects two previously self-published novellas of Alexandra Vasti’s, and includes an additional epilogue which has never before been available.
Margo and Matilda Halifax are identical twins, the wealthy younger sisters of an Earl and have basically been seen as outrageous scandals for the years since they made their debut. Both are fiercely loyal and protective of the other; however, neither of them knows that the other has grown rather weary of being seen as shocking and extreme, and they mostly now long to settle down and live quieter lives.
Lady Margaret “Margo” Halifax shows up, soaking wet, on the doorstep of Henry Mortimer, her brother’s solicitor and best friend. She believes Matilda has eloped with a dangerous and unpleasant man, and wants to intercept her sister before she gets to Scotland to get married. Henry has been a responsible and steady presence in her life since they met seven years ago, and he’s the only one she can think of to ask for help in this situation.
Henry Mortimer has been in lust with Margo since the first moment he saw her, tying a cherry stem into a knot with her mouth, while fending off suitors in her family’s drawing room. He’s been in love with her almost as long, because as her brother’s best friend, he has seen other sides to Margo than most people in the ton have. The thought of being alone in a carriage with Margo for days on end is pure torture, because he’s not sure he’ll be able to keep his feelings hidden, but he can’t let her endanger herself by running off alone to rescue Matilda.
I’m sure it will be no surprise to anyone that Henry’s absolutely right, and that after days in close confinement, they are ready to jump each other’s bones. Margo is less in tune with her feelings than Henry, so it takes her a bit longer to realise that she doesn’t just want a quick fling with Henry, she’d like to spend the rest of her life with him (whether they manage to stop Matilda or not).
Full review.
