Review: The Reluctant Marquess by Maggie Andersen

Title: The Reluctant Marquess
Author: Maggie Andersen
Source: Self Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: March 8, 2012
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Charity Barlow wished to marry for love.  The rakish Lord Robert wishes only to tuck her away in the country once an heir is produced.

A country-bred girl, Charity Barlow suddenly finds herself married to a marquess, an aloof stranger determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself.  She and Lord Robert have been forced by circumstances to marry, and she feels sure she is not the woman he would have selected given a choice.

The Marquess of St. Malin makes it plain to her that their marriage is merely for the procreation of an heir, and once that is achieved, he intends to continue living the life he enjoyed before he met her.

While he takes up his life in London once more, Charity is left to wander the echoing corridors of St. Malin House, when she isn't thrown into the midst of the mocking Haute Ton.

Charity is not at all sure she likes her new social equals, as they live by their own rules, which seem rather shocking.  She's not at all sure she likes her new husband either, except for his striking appearance and the dark desire in his eyes when he looks at her, which sends her pulses racing.

Lord Robert is a rake and does not deserve her love, but neither does she wish to live alone.

Might he be suffering from a sad past?  Seeking to uncover it, Charity attempts to heal the wound to his heart, only to make things worse between them

Will he ever love her?

The Reluctant Marquess put a unique twist on an old storyline.  When Robert and Charity marry to satisfy the terms of a will so Robert can inherit, they aren't quite sure what to expect from each other.  Charity and Robert decide to make a go of it, if only to satisfy both of their material needs, if not emotional ones.  Charity is a blast of fresh air for the London ton, who isn't quite sure what to make of her and her strange country ways.  Charity is trying to make the best of her marriage and find some semblance of love with Robert, but he seems to be against the thought from the very beginning.  The ending of the story was very touching, with a bit of humor thrown in as well.