HR-ML's Reviews > Falling for a Rake

Victorian story had more sex than romance. And
drama too. 3 stars.

Oscar, a celibate, reformed rake & earl was sweet on
Lady Emily, dtr of a duke. Emily studied ferns. These
2 fell in an abandoned mine shaft while fern-hunting.
They were rescued the next AM, but many considered
them compromised.

Oscar had a persona of a faux rake for the last 5 yrs,
prior to that he was the genuine article. About 10 yrs
ago he had sex w/ an experienced young woman. She
became preggers and he refused to marry her. He
responded w/ what we call nowadays slut-shaming.

Oscar quietly did a few things to redeem himself. He
also quietly worked on social legislation in the House
of Lords to reduce or eliminate the use of kids as
"chimney sweeps" & so on.

'Madame X' shared slanted, nasty rumors about Oscar
& Emily with a newspaper. Oscar & Em decided on a
faux engagement and then soon after a small wedding
b/c her sister would soon have her first season. Em
insisted on these marriage conditions: they'd have
children but also lead separate lives & she'd continue
her fern studies. She had a secret-natch.

Oscar spent most days away from home on House of
Lords business or at his club. Em felt rejected: they
seldom ate meals together either. Em wanted it both
ways: separate lives but also to enjoy each other's
company. But sex they enjoyed nightly & afternoon
delight for variety. IMO the leads needed to stop the
2nd guessing and anger toward each other & stop the
secrecy. Talk to each other & don't assume!

Revised on 04/06/22