The Viscount's Betrothal

by Louise Allen

Miss Decima Ross knows for a fact that her overbearing family regularly remind themselves to "marry off poor dear Dessy."

But who would ever want a graceless, freckled beanpole like herself? Hearing that she is once more to be paraded in front of an eligible gentleman, Decima hurriedly leaves her brother's house.

And encounters Adam Grantham, Viscount Weston, the first man she's ever met who's tall enough to sweep her off her feet…literally! Could such a handsome rake really find her attractive?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Harlequin Historical, Regency Romance, Harlequin

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.

I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.

With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.

I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.

My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.

Reviews

[Somia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decima has heard from her family too many times to count that they need to marry the poor thing off, and finally she’s had enough. When her brother has yet another eligible gentleman to try and foist her onto, she finally rebels and flat out refuses – deciding to leave her brother's home (grasp). Sadly, her escape is somewhat interrupted by her becoming stranded in a snowstorm but luckily Adam, Viscount Weston, comes to the rescue. Adam similarly to Decima is trying to avoid his match-making relatives, having no desire to settle down. After several days of finding himself almost completely alone with Decima, he starts to wonder if being stuck with one woman for the rest of his life would be so bad.

I feel like I’ve been Miss Negative when it come to the last handful of books that I’ve read and with this book the title is staying with me. I picked this one up because I mistook it for a different mills and boons historical romance - very similar covers. Sadly, that’s where the similarities ended, the writing didn’t sweep me away into the world the author had created, I didn’t find myself charmed by either the heroine or hero. I wasn’t invested in their romance, which led to some skim reading after the 52% mark.

I am now going back to re-read one of my favourite books – I need the smile a re-read will bring me.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like The Viscount's Betrothal validate my decision to subscribe to the Harlequin Historical line. I love that I can find hidden gemlike books by newer authors in my monthly shipment that are up my reading alley. This was a nice, shorter, but satisfying love story. Readers who enjoy the spinster motif likely will be well-pleased with this book. Decima is a character who is likeable and textured. She has valid insecurities that she struggles with, being very tall (5'10"), very freckled, and on-the-shelf for several years at the age of twenty-six. She failed to catch her first season, and lost confidence. It didn't help that her brother is over-bearing and controlling. Yet, finally, Decima is going to make her bid for freedom. She's tired of matchmaking attempts that go awry when the male object fails to fall for her due to her abundant attributes. She plots her escape and ends up snowed in with a delicious Viscount. From the beginning, Adam seems to find her attractive, and she fears it's just the 'port in the storm' phenomenon. But their mutual chemistry is strong and seemingly undeniable. I liked how Ms. Allen kept me on the razor's edge here. There were plenty of nicely sensual moments that didn't end in consummation, which was appropriate considering that Adam is a gentleman, and Decima a lady, and he couldn't at that time marry or make her his mistress. I like that they both struggled with their desire for each other, and the powerful connection that formed between them. I liked the interactions between them that consisted of playing in the snow, bonding over their mutual appreciation of horses, and putting together makeshift meals when they are snowed in. I appreciated how they nursed their respective employees (who were sick and had a broken leg). And they also did some matchmaking for them after they realized that Pru and Bates were in love. I also found the wit and the dialogue to be well done. This is the kind of Regency book I like when I reach for a lighter read. Very period, with nuances that keep the story moving and appeal to me in their portrayal of the lives of members of the ton, especially those who are on the fringes for their perceived lack of what is fashionable.

I like that Decima was realistic. She had moments where she doubted her attractions after having it reinforced for so long that she wasn't in society's mode of beauty. But, at the same time, she took charge of her life and was determined to be happy. I like how she interacted with others--showing a kind, loving personality, but finding the courage to stand up for herself against her bossy brother. Decima was a good heroine.

I also liked Adam. He was honorable, but manly. Although he had a mistress when the story started (and has some discreet assignations with widows that was mentioned), he was not an out and out rake, and he took his responsibilities seriously. He was a very likeable, decent guy, and very attractive and sexy. He saw the appeal in Decima pretty early on the story, and wanted to figure out how they could be together. Things get complicated when he gets trapped into a betrothal, but Adam is determined to find a way for Decima to be his own. I liked his solution to the problem, also playing matchmaker to his fiancee', Olivia (who is afraid of him and not at all attracted to him, only marrying him because her mother demands it), and Decima's gorgeous but diminutive best friend, Henry, when he realizes they are in love. I thought it was a pretty good idea, and the fact that he wasn't going to give up on winning Decima's hand endeared him to me.

It took me a while to read this book because I've been busy with other things, but I certainly looked forward to reading it when I obtained an opportunity. I'd recommend it to fans of lighter, but not fluffy regencies in the traditional mode, but with a nice dose of sensuality (fueled by the well-written chemistry between Decima and Adam).

[willaful · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts off as a Mary Balogh-ish plot: Adam, Viscount Weston and Decima Ross are stranded virtually alone together and fall in love while enjoying sledding and making snowmen. Then the story goes in a Georgette Heyer direction, with Adam being trapped into an engagement with another woman and forced to try some desperate ploys to get out of it.

I enjoyed the first half of the story, as Decima, who has always felt very gangly and unattractive, gets to experience the attention of a handsome and--best of all--TALL man. The second half was less engaging, because so little emotion was involved; Adam seemed to be no more than mildly upset over being honorably obliged to marry someone else. His fiance was so lightly drawn that his concern for her never felt plausible; Decima's understanding friend Henry is more interesting and I was sorry that he wound up with a secondary romance that was more convenient than exciting.

Overall, it's a nice enough story if you like a more traditional feeling Regency (though with a bit of sex.)

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excerpt:
What do you do when Polite Society considers you unmarriageable, yet your relatives insist on matchmaking? Escaping, Decima Ross ends up stranded in a blizzard. To be rescued by Adam, Viscount Weston, is both an embarrassment and a delight – especially when he proves to find neither her height nor her freckles a barrier to passion. But Adam has compromised her and Decima is not prepared to find herself married off for the sake of propriety. By the time Adam has found his elusive love again they are enmeshed in a tangle of mismatched lovers and matchmaking mamas which takes all his considerable ingenuity to unravel.

Review:
Another hard book review to write. More so because i just found the book boring and love match too quick. Disappointing since i've been wanting to read this book for a long time. The first chapter was great, but them it got.... I mean its page 30 and the hero and heroine are already in love, lust, and kissing each other. This all after knowing each other for ONE DAY. One single day. That immediately turned me off. I mean, i'm fine with the whole noticing how attractive the person is, but this was a little much. Both heroine and heroine was already declaring they've never met anyone like the other after knowing each other for a few hours. A short conversation and they've found their soul mates. It was like speed dating regency style. Then the rest of the book is them pretending they don't want to be with the other while secretly pinning and having romantic flings. It's like make up your freaking mind. Are you together or not. Finally at the very last chapter on almost the very last page they get engaged. Only after finding out their other intended in compromising positions with each other. (I meant that Adam(hero) & Dessy (Heroine) own finance's were caught together.) They then declared they were getting engaged and that apparently kicked Adam and Dessy in getting engaged too.

I don't know. Maybe it was just me. I just don't like the whole "OMG your my soul mate in the first 30 pages" types of romances. I like build up and having those moments after page 100 or so. Only anthologies can get away with short mesh ups in my opinions. This book is 278 and doesn't count. Therefore it has my turning my head side to side and wondering if perhaps the bitter cold froze the hero/heroines senses. Perhaps it was the ale & whiskey they were drinking. Or perhaps just me again and my high standards...

Rating: 2 stars for boring since i could barely get through it. It also gets this rating for too quick of romance. I will say it has a gorgeous cover though.

[Harlequin Historical]

Decima has heard from her family to many times to count, "marry off poor Dessy." When her brother has yet another eligible gentleman to try and foist her onto, she finally rebels and flat out refuses. She decides it is time to leave her brother's and finds herself in big trouble. She becomes stranded in a snowstorm but luckily Viscount Weston, Adam, comes to the rescue.

Adam was on the road for pretty much the same reason as Decima. He was trying to avoid his match-making relatives as well. He isn't ready to settle down now, if ever. But after several days of finding himself almost completely alone with Decima, he starts to wonder if being stuck with one woman for the rest of his life would be so bad.

Oh this was a fun read! Decima has some major issues caused by her family. They see her as flawed because she is tall and has freckles, "gasp." Her discovery that she is beautiful to Adam is a very touching scene. Definitely going on my keeper shelf.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical romance, one of my favorite genres. I enjoyed it immensely; I think it is going to be one of my favorites. Humor and self-deprecation play a large role in this tale. I always find it interesting to compare the “regency” years and what was improper behavior then. Today’s society is much less shocked by sexual relations once people reach their teen/young adult years, whereas it was scandalous in this earlier time.
It centers on a young woman, Decima Ross, a 27-year-old spinster. She was a tall, gangly young lady that had her Season in London and never found a suitable suitor. Her relations were always saying she was too tall, had too many freckles, her mouth was too wide, etc., they never really saw the person she was, just her alleged “faults”, so she therefore ended up with less than stellar self-esteem. Luckily for her she comes into her own inheritance on her 27th birthday. She makes a New Years’ resolution for herself to not let her relations match-make for her. She is not going to try to blend in with the furnishings anymore; she will embrace her life and live it how she wishes to live it. She will remain single and enjoy herself. Her story takes her from her half-brothers home in Nottinghamshire to London and along the way she finds a gentleman that might make her change her mind about wanting to remain single. Her lady’s maid and herself find themselves snowbound with strangers and an unexpected turn of events makes it a bumpy ride along the way to find out who is the Viscount’s betrothed???

[☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow, this book managed to have almost no angst, despite a deliciously promising setup. Insecure heroine falls for handsome rake-ish type, there’s a bit of a love triangle that somehow manages to not cause any of the characters much distress. The heroine is surprisingly blasé about it. I really liked the story quite a bit, I was just disappointed that everyone just kind of drifted around smiling at each other. (3.5 stars)

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il romanzo è ambientato in Inghilterra nel 1815. Decima Rossi, ha ventisette anni e non ha ricevuto neppure una proposta di matrimonio, quindi è convinta che s non si sposerà mai. Pensa che sia colpa della sua altezza e delle lentiggini. Suo fratello e la cognata continuano a metterla in imbarazzo cercandole un marito, ma appena entra in possesso della propria eredità, decide di fuggire di fronte all'ennesimo appuntamento al buio. Ma sulla strada la sorprende una bufera di neve ed è costretta a condividere le sue giornate con l'uomo che non voleva incontrare, inoltre dovrà occuparsi della sua cameriera malata e Weston del suo servitore che è rimasto ferito. Forse le efelidi e l'altezza, sono proprio ciò che il Visconte di Weston trova più attraenti in lei. Però il breve soggiorno finisce ed i due sono costretti a separarsi. Si ritroveranno ancora? Storia d'amore carina.

[Jupiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cómo me estaba gustando la historia, así que estaba esperando este gran drama pero que drama se vino😑.
No me gustó la actitud de los protagonista ante cierto compromiso, yo estaba esperando el sufrimiento que es lo que me gusta 😅 pero todo fue tan diplomático por parte de Decima.
Los momentos que se supone dan risa más bien me causaron desesperación y luego esta ese final tan abrupto, para mí no hubo romanticismo.

[Yenn Muñozz · Rating 4 out of 5]

La historia me encanto, la escritora puedo ver como ha crecido con los libros que leído de ella en este último tipo su forma de describir tanto el lugar como la forma en la que vive la protagonista te puedes sentir transportado en el tiempo.

[María Pilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonita aunque el final se hace largo.

[Donnalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than usual; no crim.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasurable read. I read the manga first and like it so much I decided to read the original.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had such promise in the first half but the second half just flags, becoming far less interesting.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's a tall woman, not something very common in romance books.

[Penny Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely lighthearted story from this author. Full of period detail and perfect for someone looking for an escape from all the current 21st century angst. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Frances Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

✍️〰️Una historia de una chica alta, muy, muy alta que huye de una cita a ciegas para luego, chocar con el amor de su vida...
✍️〰️Me súper encantó!

[Monique Takens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last month I read the Lords of Disgrace series and I liked those 4 story's very well ( I gave them all 4 stars ) . That's not unusual because I checked my ratings of her other work I've read and almost every one of them got a 4 star rating , but I got the impression that her writing has changed a bit and decided to pic up one of her older works and pulled this one ( at random ) out of the pile of books for a reread . I can honestly say that i liked The Viscount's Betrothal as much as her more recent books although her writing has changed a bit . So .. now I am going to reread all of her older story's in the near future .

[Nenya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it, I really did. Except the characters wouldn't cooperate. First they seemed like nice, pleasant people whom I might like to read about, then they descended into cheap, gimmicky caricatures, with them talking about his mistress(es) and H getting engaged to Olivia and forgetting to tell the h... I kept wanting to smack them and get them to get over the big (or small) misunderstandings. Great storyline, terrible execution.

[Dancer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has enough believable twists and turns to keep it interesting.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first time around. Still better than most.

[Sara Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I this is one of the silliest books I've ever read, but if you're old enough to read romance and you enjoy romances with strange twists and silly complications, this is the book for you.

[Jasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decima Ross are always trying to marry off dear Dessy. She meets Adam Grantham, Viscount Weston, who is the first man she's met who is tall enough for her! I enjoyed this book and author.

[Zinnia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bra! Läsvärd avkoppling.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a nice sweet, story with two characters who learn what they want during this book and try to fight for it.

really liked it

[Seema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet traditional regency love story. Though typical I liked the characters and especially the h and h

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written regency romance. Enjoyed it!

Read it a second time because it was good!

[Carito Cárdenas guevara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahhh me encantó, Adam es demasiado hermoso