Courtship of Convenience By Jane Charles
Courtship of Convenience by Jane Charles Series: Observations of a Wallflower Series Book #2
on December 21, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 230
Goodreads
Observations of a Wallflower
Journal Entry of December 5, 1816
Society can be odd and those within the ton do not always behave as expected.
For example, Lady Violet Claxton spent more time in the gardens admiring flowers, plants, and bushes than she did inside any ballroom, and I left London wondering why she preferred roses over bachelors. Though perhaps it’s because she’s grows bored with tedious conversation, as her intelligence is beyond most, she’s pragmatic, and lacks patience when time is wasted. Therefore, a London Season must be trying indeed for someone such as she.
Then there was Lord Emory Talbot, Viscount Ferrard, who behaved exactly as one would expect of a rake. Though he is expected to marry and produce an heir and a spare, Ferrard showed no interest in any lady or miss for longer than an evening. Further, I have it on good authority that he fears any form of commitment, which may explain why he’s not even kept a mistress or settled on a wife. However, rumors have recently reached me that he may no longer have the option of waiting. The details have not been shared, but I’m certain they are drastic as I’m to understand that he is to attend a house party where Lady Violet is in residence. And, I have also learned from the most trusted authority that Ferrard never attends house parties.
I cannot begin to imagine how the two might get on when they do finally meet. Will he show interest for no more than a night or will she spend all her time in the gardens avoiding all guests? Regardless of any interaction the two may share, I’m certain nothing will come from their association as I can’t think of two less likely candidates to enter into a courtship.
Courtship of Convenience is book two in the Observations of a Wallflower series by Jane Charles. I enjoyed this story. Charles uses the marriage of convenience trope as her vehicle. She does a masterful job of creating believable, complex characters. The heroine Lady Violet is on the spectrum. She is at times misunderstood by society and judged as being cold and shy when really she doesn’t feel comfortable with small talk. The hero Emory Talbot, Viscount Ferrard is a rake hell who has avoided marriage for as long as possible. The two come together to try to placate their families. I especially liked the humor running throughout the book. There are a few twists that I didn’t expect that kept the pace brisk. Well done!
