Grey Birch Dorning, Earl of Casriel, is impoverished and has a large family to provide for. He is in London to find a rich heiress to marry. Beatitude, Countess of Canmore, is a widow of only moderate means, but Grey and Addy (Beatitude's nickname) are too interested in each other, distracting Grey from the course he must ultimately follow. A liaison seems in order until he finally settles on one of the young ladies on his list to marry.
I'm a huge Burrowes fan and have read almost all her work, historical and contemporary. This one starts a little slow, but soon picks up and we have a lovely romance. Grey really is a perfect gentleman and perfectly suited as a match to Addy. We get plenty of other Dornings in the mix which is always a treat.
I admit I cried a bit at one sad scene; the writing is truly lovely. The liaison scenes are appropriately sexy (and not that gentlemanly). Another fine work by Ms. Burrowes. ( )