A Companion for the Count
Cover via GoodreadsA Companion for the Count
by Sally Britton
Edition: Audiobook, 2021
Synopsis: Miss Emma Arlen’s position as a companion never included distracting her mistress’s suitors, but when a handsome Italian ambassador arrives determined to find an English bride, Emma happily takes up the cause.
Emma Arlen has spent a decade as a member of the duke’s family, in the position of companion to his daughter and ward to the duke himself. She would do anything to show her support to the ducal family for their love and kindness. When Lady Josephine begs Emma to distract a most determined Sicilian suitor, she agrees at once. How hard can it be to keep one man entertained for a few weeks?
Luca, the Conte di Atella, left his home in the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the direct orders of King Ferdinand I. Luca’s duty as ambassador to England includes everything from negotiating better trade agreements to strengthening the bonds between the two nations. If possible, by marrying a lady of high birth. When he optimistically sets his sights on Lady Josephine, Miss Arlen consistently disrupts his plans. The more time that passes, the more he realizes he does not mind at all.
Continually in the conte’s company, Emma recognizes in him a spirit of adventure and nobility like she has never witnessed before. When the time comes for him to go, will she be able to part with him and keep her heart intact?
Luca, the Conte di Atella, is the new ambassador to England from the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicily’s To cement ties with England, he decides to take an English bride. The daughter of a duke appears to be the most advantageous option, but Lady Josephine’s companion advises him the lady is not interested in marriage. Undaunted, Luca asks Miss Arlen to help him but will he fall in love with the companion instead of the lady?
This was a sweet, enjoyable story. I’ve never read anything by this author, and though it is the second book in the series, it stands on it’s own well enough. The characters were engaging and interesting. The details of the time and how it would be as a foreigner were handled very well.
The one thing that rubbed me wrong was Emma Arlen, and her place in the castle. She is actually the duke’s ward, but everyone only sees her as a companion. I didn’t quite understand how this came to be. She was an heiress in her own right, but no one knew. Why?
Overall, it was a sweet romance and well written. I listened to the audiobook version. The narrator did a fantastic job with the voices and bringing the characters to life.
