Susan Johnson, When You Love Someone

When You Love Someone

Susan Johnson

Brava, Jan 2006, $15.00

ISBN: 1575668114

In 1788, as a vicar's daughter, Elspeth understands the sanctity of her wedding vows though she detests her marriage to elderly cold-hearted Lord Grafton who had two previous wives. Gossip amidst the Ton insists she is still a virgin six months after they exchanged I Do's as she allegedly sent him into a fit of apoplexy that has left him confined to a Bath chair. She wonders if she did the right thing when she agreed to marry lecherous "Old Hellfire", but did so with her parents dead so that her brother could gain a military commission. While she suffers with Grafton as a watchdog companion, her sibling serves in India.

Marquis Julius D'Abernon hears the rumors of Elspeth's virginity that between her and her husband they guard as precious cargo. He decides that she is just the challenge he needs to get over his current boredom that has even the Tatler wondering what happened to their top juicy scandal maker. Julius begins his seduction campaign one kiss at a time. However, as he opens her senses to the sensations of lovemaking, he finds he is seduced by her, but he only obtains temporary respites from his needs for her. He becomes bolder and she increasingly brazen because it is strange what love can make people do.

This is a terrific erotic Regency romance starring a likable heroine who turns from being depressed to euphoric due to the antics of hedonist turned adoring lover Julius. Old Hellfire lives up to his name so few will be upset when the lead couple cuckolds him (mindful of one of the Canterbury Tales). Fans will appreciate this fine historical romance and root for the lead pair to come together permanently.