
THE SECRET HEARTBREAK To the world, it was the most fantastic of marriages. Yesterday, Lucinda was an obscure, dowdy country girl; today, she was the diamond-decked mistress of a vast London town house and wife to a young Lord legendary for his wealth, daring escapades, and magnetic attraction for women. Would the world wonder why he chose her? Would they guess he was using this young girl to cover his affair with the glittering, sophisticated Lady Devereux? Lucinda hadn't time to care. She was too busy becoming the overnight darling of London society--too busy earning the notice and respect of the man she was irresistibly, hopelessly, growing to love....
Lucinda finds herself thrust into a high-society marriage of convenience that masks her husband's true romantic entanglements. Lucinda, a modest country girl, navigates the sudden transition to life as a wealthy Lord's wife in London. Her primary objective is to secure her place in society while managing the emotional distance of a husband who uses their union as a facade for his affair with Lady Devereux. The narrative follows her internal development as she attempts to win the genuine affection of a man known for his reckless reputation and magnetic charm. The story operates within the rigid social hierarchies of the Regency era, emphasizing the contrast between public perception and private reality.
Readers frequently highlight the classic Regency atmosphere that defines this work. Discussion often centers on the rapid transformation of the protagonist and the tension inherent in her husband's duplicitous motives. Critics note the focus on social maneuvering and the emotional stakes of a marriage built on a foundation of secrecy. The pacing is described as consistent with the author's established style, prioritizing character interaction over complex plot twists. Many readers appreciate the balance between the protagonist's personal growth and the external pressures of the London social scene.
Page Count:
192
Publication Date:
1970-01-01
Publisher:
Arrow Books
ISBN-10:
0090037006
ISBN-13:
9780090037001
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