Lord Fenton's Folly

by Josi S. Kilpack

Overview

Lord Fenton is a gambler and a dandy, and he will be stripped of his wealth and position unless he rises to his responsibility—one of which is to marry. Far from being a giddy groom, Fenton chooses the unobjectionable Alice Stanbridge simply because he had known her as a young girl and his mother feels Alice would make a good wife.

Alice, however, has harbored feelings for Fenton since their first meeting years ago, and his proposal is a dream come true. Not only would a match with the most-eligible bachelor in London secure her future, but it will also give her a place of distinction and admiration. Had anyone admired Alice for anything before now?

When Alice learns that she is not only an unwanted wife, but a demanded one, however, she closes her heart. Only when Lord Fenton faces the greatest trial of his life does he begin to find love beyond the folly. Could a great love come from a beginning such as this?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629733920
Publisher:	Deseret Book Company
Publication date:	10/06/2015
Series:	Proper Romance Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Josi is the author of twenty-five novels—including the twelve-book Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series—one cookbook, and has been part of several coauthored projects and anthologies. She is a two time Whitney award–winner (Sheep's Clothing in 2007 and Wedding Cake in 2014) and the Utah Best in State winner for fiction in 2012. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children and live in Utah.

Read an Excerpt

Fenton groaned and put his saucer back on the tray, making an instantaneous decision that eased his mind quite a lot. To look at every woman he met as a potential wife was irritating, and after only two weeks he was quite tired of it. Perhaps the solution was to orchestrate a match that would not lay all aspects of matrimony at his feet all at once. Perhaps treating it as a business arrangement would help it to be exactly that, thereby freeing him from all the discomfiting realities he was not yet prepared to face. "I leave for Fentonview on Tuesday and shan't be back for a week. Courting is such a boring prospect, and you yourself said that to become infatuated with anyone might become a complication." He paused, considered one last time what he was going to say next, and decided he felt as good about it as could be expected. "You like Alice Stanbridge and feel she would make a good wife for me?"

Lady Chariton looked confused and perhaps a bit concerned. "I do, but-"

"Then that is good enough for me," Fenton said, rising to his feet and smiling broadly at his mother, who stared back at him in surprise. "I do find her appealing and what's more she is not a silly little thing without a practical thought in her head."

His mother's eyes widened and her eyebrows rose upon her forehead. Fenton struck a pose of consternation, with his thumb and forefinger on his chin as he looked toward the window a moment, then nodded crisply and turned back to his mother who still looked shocked by his pronouncement.

"Yes, I think that Alice Stanbridge is exactly what I should like in a wife, and so I shall see to it before I leave for Hampshire-I see no reason to wait until Michaelmas and might as well get it over with." He leaned in and kissed his mother's hand. "Thank you for your help, Mama. I shall let you know how she responds to my proposal."

Editorial Reviews

"A poignant love story...Filled with exceptional characters.  An endearing tale...this heartwarming story is filled with healthy banter and dark family secrets, and is centered on a kind, beautiful, and intelligent young woman.  The bonds that Alice forms with those around her are incredibly deep. There is plenty of perplexing mystery surrounding the difficult and unique relationship between her and Lord Fenton. The author does a terrific job describing the intense and complicated relationships woven throughout the book, with many perfectly written and elegantly described social events, leaving just enough ambiguity to entice and engage her audience. The characters are...relatable and believable enough to allow those sweet fantasies of a better life to be dreamed upon and savored.  The storyline and the narrative are incredibly touching and thoroughly enjoyable.Will be a joy for any lover of true romance, and with a G-rating, young women everywhere are bound to fill their days and nights dreaming of being in Alice’s shoes."

Foreword Reviews

"An enjoyable story that focuses on the emotional development of the relationship."

Historical Novel Society

"Kilpack creates a number of appealing characters, a colorful nineteenth-century setting, and a few family secrets. Traditional Regency romance in that scenes may get a little steamy, but not too sexy. Recommended for teen readers who favor chaste romance novels with a period setting."

Booklist

"Kilpack creates a number of appealing characters, a colorful nineteenth-century setting, and a few family secrets. Traditional Regency romance in that scenes may get a little steamy, but not too sexy. Recommended for teen readers who favor chaste romance novels with a period setting."

Booklist

2015-07-15
When Lord Fenton is forced to marry or face disinheritance, he follows his mother's advice and weds Alice Stanbridge, a family friend, but their match is full of conflict. Charles Theler, Lord Fenton, has developed foppish ways, gambling heavily and acting the flirt, but when he crosses a line and makes a particularly embarrassing spectacle of himself, his father, the Earl of Chariton, takes initial steps to disinherit him. When his mother steps in on his behalf and convinces the earl to give him one more chance to redeem himself, he is given a number of conditions, one of which is that he must marry. Charles is willing to do anything to maintain his title and position, especially since his ridiculous manner has always been a way to goad his father and possibly earn a speck of his attention, even if it is negative. His father is all about appearances, even if his actions are less than honorable. However, now that Charles has come so close to losing everything, he knows he must buckle down and show some respect to his title and responsibilities. He is guided by his mother in choosing a wife, Miss Alice Stanbridge, the daughter of her childhood friend. At first Alice is thrilled by the engagement—she's held a tendre for Charles since she was a girl—but as she comes to realize he was forced into marriage and did not actually choose her, she is hurt and bewildered, especially since he shows her the same vapid mask he shows the rest of society, and she worries he is as shallow as he appears. When Charles' mother falls ill, the uncomfortable newlyweds follow her from London to a country estate that shelters many lingering family secrets. Occasionally slow-moving, but an interesting take on respect and respectability and the choices a noble family must make when things go awry. Watching Alice and Charles grow into themselves and love for each other is nuanced and rewarding. A poignant Regency romance with subtle inspirational messages about the power of forgiveness and authenticity.

Kirkus Reviews