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Boscastle #8
A Wicked Lord at the Wedding
A witty and inviting tale of secrets, seduction, and scorching passion from award-winning author Jillian Hunter.
What is a neglected wife to do while her husband disappears on clandestine missions and unknown gambits? Play the spy game herself, if only to fill lonely nights once flush with erotic delight. When Eleanor Prescott married the handsome infantry officer who pursued her between missions, she anticipated anything but a six-year estrangement. Now the enigmatic husband who fired her body with his sensual touch is back–to woo her, win her, and unwrap all her secrets.
Sebastien Boscastle is prepared for battle when it comes to his crumbling marriage, but not to catch his wife prowling about the night in disguise. And yet Eleanor’s game of espionage and seduction only heightens his devilish desire to reclaim every inch of her. From the back alleys of London to the silken sheets of the marital bed, Sebastien inflicts the sweetest of sensual assaults, ready to possess everything Eleanor is willing to surrender.
What is a neglected wife to do while her husband disappears on clandestine missions and unknown gambits? Play the spy game herself, if only to fill lonely nights once flush with erotic delight. When Eleanor Prescott married the handsome infantry officer who pursued her between missions, she anticipated anything but a six-year estrangement. Now the enigmatic husband who fired her body with his sensual touch is back–to woo her, win her, and unwrap all her secrets.
Sebastien Boscastle is prepared for battle when it comes to his crumbling marriage, but not to catch his wife prowling about the night in disguise. And yet Eleanor’s game of espionage and seduction only heightens his devilish desire to reclaim every inch of her. From the back alleys of London to the silken sheets of the marital bed, Sebastien inflicts the sweetest of sensual assaults, ready to possess everything Eleanor is willing to surrender.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
33 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hunter
48 books429 followersJillian Hunter is the bestselling author of over twenty historical romances. She lives with her husband, three daughters, a pug and a poodle in Southern California. She loves anyone who can make her laugh, which means she is in love with Mike Myers and Tyler Perry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 10, 2023
"I'll be good for you." He stared at her in conviction. "And good to you. Please say that you want me."
This book was about an estranged married couple where the husband has been a secret agent for the crown and away from home for 6 years and the wife gets fed up with him so she decides to become a spy for the rival of his boss and meets him in the middle of a mission.
It was such a delight, cute, funny and lighthearted. The love interest never undermined his wife in her line of job or otherwise. And unlike other historical romance men, despite the estrangement he never once took a mistress and neither has she taken a lover. I love a man who is obsessed with his wife!!!
July 17, 2010
I really looked forward to learning more about Sebastian, and why he avoided his Boscastle cousins and brothers, but I was so disappointed in how this story was carried out. First: the younger Sebastian respected Eleanor and what she was able to do in wartime, but the present-day Sebastian appeared to feel that Elle, as a woman, did not have the ability to do what she had already been successfully doing - yes, part of that was his desire to protect her, but the stronger message was that this task needed a man; not the way to convince your beloved that she has value to you beyond the bedroom. Second: his PTSD caused him to be least-in-sight for much of the first 6 years of their marriage, yet other than a couple of vague references, his feelings and behaviors during that time are never shared with his wife - how can a wounded marriage heal without this resolution?! I enjoyed the very childish competition they carried out in their search for the letters, and was actually glad to see a serious problem develop which needed their cooperative behavior to resolve.
October 10, 2011
Sebastien Bocastle has been married to Eleanor Prescott for six years, but he hasn't really been home for most of it. His work for the English army has kept him from home. But Eleanor hasn't been sitting at home quietly. Instead, she's been helping the Duchess of Wellington steal back some letters that incriminate the duchess' husband. Now Sebastien's back and trying to beat his wife at her own game.
Wish there had been more background on this one. Why did he feel the need to leave, what were his missions like, what was it like for her while he was gone, and why did she let him back into bed so damn fast?
Inventive story but not one of my favorites from Hunter.
Wish there had been more background on this one. Why did he feel the need to leave, what were his missions like, what was it like for her while he was gone, and why did she let him back into bed so damn fast?
Inventive story but not one of my favorites from Hunter.
May 28, 2011
This book was left me with mixed feelings. At times I loved it, I laughed a lot; at times it made me want to toss away from the window. The characters were good, but the plot was so confusing. For the first 50 pages I didn't even understand what was happening. But I loved how their relationship got normal. It was not a great book, but it was not bad either.
July 1, 2012
I only gave it 3 stars because it wasn't the best in the series nor was it one that I would want to read again. I liked it but I liked the others MUCH more. Sooo.... Hopefully the next book is better.
November 24, 2023
The title is a total misnomer. There is no wedding; they're already married. Sebastien was just never around. The first three years of their marriage he was rarely at home, the last 3 yrs he was gone. I'm surprised Eleanor didn't move on.
The first chapter was so confusing I almost stopped reading. Through the whole book if felt like this was part 2 of a series and I hadn't read part 1.
Eleanor has been on a quest to retrieve letters that may or may not compromise a powerful duke. To do so she has created a male persona, the results of which are quite amusing.
Sebastian returns to win back Eleanor. He is a chauvinist and insists women should not be involved in intrigue. Eleanor disagrees.
We never find out where he was or what he did or why he has PTSD. It was all very vague. We don't know why he is estranged from his family. Then a plot against the duke is introduced. Throw in a past miscarriage for basically no reason that I can see. It's all very confusing.
I would not read this book again (and I read my books multiple times). Her other books were much better.
The first chapter was so confusing I almost stopped reading. Through the whole book if felt like this was part 2 of a series and I hadn't read part 1.
Eleanor has been on a quest to retrieve letters that may or may not compromise a powerful duke. To do so she has created a male persona, the results of which are quite amusing.
Sebastian returns to win back Eleanor. He is a chauvinist and insists women should not be involved in intrigue. Eleanor disagrees.
We never find out where he was or what he did or why he has PTSD. It was all very vague. We don't know why he is estranged from his family. Then a plot against the duke is introduced. Throw in a past miscarriage for basically no reason that I can see. It's all very confusing.
I would not read this book again (and I read my books multiple times). Her other books were much better.
October 1, 2017
Once again, I loved this book and this author didn't disappoint. Each and every one of this series so far has been great reading. With good story lines, the most interesting and complex heroes and strong determined women, she keeps you reading, not wanting to lose the connection you've made with this family. Sometimes the sentiments spoken are so real (and close to home) that you find yourself tearing up and needing to go for a cup of hot tea. Thank heavens Jillian has been smart enough to write so many books in this series and by the time I get to the last one, I'll be able to start over at the beginning again.
March 19, 2019
Once again, with Jillian Hunter books I am left feeling ambivalent towards the book. The smut is always vague and the plot is subpar but the characters are at least well written and tend to be funny. This book's plot wasn't my favorite. It didn't feel as serious as it was supposed to and fell a little flat for me but whatever. If the smut was just a little bit better I'm sure I would be able to overlook it but with the smut leaning more to the vague side of things I have a hard time fully appreciating the characters.
June 26, 2017
This was my first book by Jillian Hunter but it won't be the last. I see it's #8 in the series...now there are seven for me to catch up on! A friend gave me this one on an airplane...now I have a new to me author to follow.
Engaging plot and characters made this a good read. The two main characters are spies for the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, respectively. I like when the heroine is a strong character in her own right and this one fits the bill.
Engaging plot and characters made this a good read. The two main characters are spies for the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, respectively. I like when the heroine is a strong character in her own right and this one fits the bill.
August 29, 2017
The book was good, but I felt like Sebastian and Eleanor were g around each other I wanted more communication form them. And you never really found what he was doing, while he was away.
June 30, 2021
I liked it but I didn't love it. There wasn't much work put into fixing the marriage, it just kind of fell back into place after six years of estrangement. It should have been a little harder.
November 14, 2021
VERY slow, and felt like we only scraped the surface of the emotions of a couple re-uniting. Plus the usual baby fixes everything ending really soured this one for me.
February 3, 2022
The abandoned wife trope is one of my favorites, but this story did not do it justice. I enjoyed the story anyway.
February 13, 2023
Very much read this because of meowqxng on twitter and honestly, no regrets. Was it my favorite historical romance book? No. But, still pretty enjoyable
April 30, 2019
Resumed 2019.
I loved the spy aspect. This might have been 4 stars if there was less pure sex scenes (so to speak :-))
And loved the Boscastle reconciliations which are a favorite recurring part of the series. So high 3 stars.
I loved the spy aspect. This might have been 4 stars if there was less pure sex scenes (so to speak :-))
And loved the Boscastle reconciliations which are a favorite recurring part of the series. So high 3 stars.
January 2, 2010
Hunter crafts a tale full of suspense with “A Wicked Lord at the Wedding.” Baroness Eleanor Boscastle has spent three lonely years without her husband, Sebastien, while he works for British intelligence during the Napoleonic wars. To occupy her time, she’s befriended the Duchess of Wellington. The duchess’s husband has supposedly sent several sensitive letters to a few of London’s high society, and Eleanor adopts the identity of the Mayfair Masquer to get the letters back to the duchess.
Enter Sebastien. After three years apart from his wife, on military duty, Sebastien returns home, hoping to rekindle the flame of their love. His wife’s activities as the Mayfair Masquer surprises him. Realizing the danger, Sebastien joins his wife on her dangerous nocturnal jaunts. The couple soon grow close again and make love. Sebastien isn’t quite sure he’s won over his wife’s heart, however. As he delves deeper into her activities, he learns there’s a plot to harm the Duke of Wellington’s family. Sebastien knows he must expose the plot, but fears he might put Eleanor in danger. He’s caught between his duty and his love for his wife. Which one will win out in the end?
Hunter weaves a tight, suspenseful plot that will intrigue the reader. Both Sebastien and Eleanor are interesting characters, scarred by trouble childhoods. Eleanor’s father was a surgeon in the war and she grew up working alongside him. Eleanor’s not afraid to take risks.
Sebastien’s father died when he was ten, leaving him to fight and scrape for a living until he was old enough to join the military. Sebastien and Eleanor fall in love during the war. They get married, but Sebastien has been emotionally scarred by a recent battle, and makes an ass out of himself at his wedding, hence the title of the book. He goes back to the battle front, regretting his behavior.
Sebastien and Eleanor have to fight with the fiercest passion they possess to keep their love alive while separated. Their love, loss, and separation is something modern readers can identify with, especially with the recent wars.
Hunter writes in the third person. The point of view narration switches within the scene without line breaks. Known as a “Lonesome Dove” perspective after the famous novel, some readers might find the shifts disconcerting.
The dialogue is sharp, moving the plot along at a brisk pace. Hunter’s love scenes are tasteful and full of passion. Overall, “A Wicked Lord at the Wedding,” is a wicked delight to read.
Enter Sebastien. After three years apart from his wife, on military duty, Sebastien returns home, hoping to rekindle the flame of their love. His wife’s activities as the Mayfair Masquer surprises him. Realizing the danger, Sebastien joins his wife on her dangerous nocturnal jaunts. The couple soon grow close again and make love. Sebastien isn’t quite sure he’s won over his wife’s heart, however. As he delves deeper into her activities, he learns there’s a plot to harm the Duke of Wellington’s family. Sebastien knows he must expose the plot, but fears he might put Eleanor in danger. He’s caught between his duty and his love for his wife. Which one will win out in the end?
Hunter weaves a tight, suspenseful plot that will intrigue the reader. Both Sebastien and Eleanor are interesting characters, scarred by trouble childhoods. Eleanor’s father was a surgeon in the war and she grew up working alongside him. Eleanor’s not afraid to take risks.
Sebastien’s father died when he was ten, leaving him to fight and scrape for a living until he was old enough to join the military. Sebastien and Eleanor fall in love during the war. They get married, but Sebastien has been emotionally scarred by a recent battle, and makes an ass out of himself at his wedding, hence the title of the book. He goes back to the battle front, regretting his behavior.
Sebastien and Eleanor have to fight with the fiercest passion they possess to keep their love alive while separated. Their love, loss, and separation is something modern readers can identify with, especially with the recent wars.
Hunter writes in the third person. The point of view narration switches within the scene without line breaks. Known as a “Lonesome Dove” perspective after the famous novel, some readers might find the shifts disconcerting.
The dialogue is sharp, moving the plot along at a brisk pace. Hunter’s love scenes are tasteful and full of passion. Overall, “A Wicked Lord at the Wedding,” is a wicked delight to read.
January 16, 2012
It was better than I had hoped.
I am always wary when it comes to re-uniting estranged husbands and wives. This was good Sebastien was both reasonable and deliciously possessive of his wife.
Eleanor is a little annoying; on the one hand she got out and did things when her husband deserted her for 6 years on the other hand as ridiculously demanding as Sebastien was over her Masquer-ing, but he was right about the danger. On the other hand she chose to become a spy not champion charities or something normal (for a 19th century Lady).
Both of the couple were good to read, neither making bone-headed decisions to hate the other because of the past without Eleanor falling straight back into love. The story was also good, I could believe the Duchess of Wellington was "spy-master" for steering the ton, I doubt she was, but it was believably portrayed.
I recommend for people who like the estranged couple theme to try Passions of a Wicked Earl.
I am always wary when it comes to re-uniting estranged husbands and wives. This was good Sebastien was both reasonable and deliciously possessive of his wife.
Eleanor is a little annoying; on the one hand she got out and did things when her husband deserted her for 6 years on the other hand as ridiculously demanding as Sebastien was over her Masquer-ing, but he was right about the danger. On the other hand she chose to become a spy not champion charities or something normal (for a 19th century Lady).
Both of the couple were good to read, neither making bone-headed decisions to hate the other because of the past without Eleanor falling straight back into love. The story was also good, I could believe the Duchess of Wellington was "spy-master" for steering the ton, I doubt she was, but it was believably portrayed.
I recommend for people who like the estranged couple theme to try Passions of a Wicked Earl.
July 11, 2017
The writing style seemed to drag at times and I found myself re-reading sections trying to follow the writer's train of thought. Throughout the book, it mentioned how the hero suffered some complications from a war injury, but never elaborated enough to help understand his condition or how it was truly affecting him. I was also confused about what he did exactly in the years he had disappeared from his wife's life and more background given would have been helpful. Of course, this is book eight in a series. Having read this book first, the previous books may provide the missing information I needed to understand this hero better. The storyline itself was rather dull. I have the other books in the series marked to read, but they will not be a high priority.
****I have since read a few of the books that came before this book and having re-read this book, it was better the 2nd time around.
****I have since read a few of the books that came before this book and having re-read this book, it was better the 2nd time around.
July 29, 2011
Didn't like it, and couldn't finish-- I don't think this one even made it through my usual 60-page trial. I felt like the author had written the beginning of the book, decided she didn't like it, and cut out the first 100 pages or so to drop the reader somewhere in the middle, instead. The setup and action were confusing (trying to be clever, I think, and failing), and the flashback to how the couple's relationship started only made me wish the author HAD started there and then actually shown us how their lives had proceeded, rather than just dumping the precis in our laps. As it was, I didn't feel engaged enough with the heroine OR the hero to continue.
[Correction-- I *did* give it 60 pages to hook me, and it failed-- I made it up to Ch. 8 before I gave it up as a bad job.
[Correction-- I *did* give it 60 pages to hook me, and it failed-- I made it up to Ch. 8 before I gave it up as a bad job.
July 10, 2010
I liked the concept, which was what intrigued me enough to buy the book in the first place. But I just couldn't get myself lost in the story with this one. I felt that I was being told how the couple were feeling rather than experiencing it for myself. Too much of the action seemed to be glossed over for me. I feel that all of the characters have so much potential, but something in the descriptions or in the actions was missing for me.
March 4, 2013
This was a quick read, the fun back and forth between Eleanor and Sebastien was refreshing! There was no repeating of the "Oh woe is me" sentiment and the self berating that is so common in most HR with the main female character. She was strong, did her own thing and made no apologizes for doing something she wanted while hubby was gone. Not much in the developing of characters and history but you can't have everything.
April 19, 2016
I think this is my first book from Jillian Hunter . . . I very much liked Eleanor and Sebastien. My only issue was that I was never really sure where the romantic tension or even general tension would come from as the book begin's with the H/h newly reunited. So I could put this book down but found it amusing and well-written over the few days it took me to read it.
July 9, 2019
New author for me 2019. Romantic. Little erotica. Historical. sometimes a little suspense.
Books 1-5 were all fast reads & great books. Rest of series was fast reads and hot books. Really enjoyed reading the series and wanting more :-)
Read in Order: YES, you need to read in order. Since all of the characters continue in all of the books since it is about the Boscastle family and all the ins and outs of their lives.
Looking forward to reading all of them. . .
Books 1-5 were all fast reads & great books. Rest of series was fast reads and hot books. Really enjoyed reading the series and wanting more :-)
Read in Order: YES, you need to read in order. Since all of the characters continue in all of the books since it is about the Boscastle family and all the ins and outs of their lives.
Looking forward to reading all of them. . .
October 21, 2009
Well! This is the first Jillian Hunter book that I was not in love with the characters.....took me much longer to read this book due to lack of interest....didn't like the story line...and Sebastian was just not the typical Bostcastle!!!!! I so loved the other Bostcastles!!!!
So sorry, but only a two star for me.
So sorry, but only a two star for me.
November 29, 2009
Another of the Boscastle books. More cousins showing up!! A little different story. The main character, Sebastien, has post tramatic stress disorder from war and has a very difficult time returning from war. Eleanor has moved on without him even tho they are married... And then he returns wooing
February 10, 2013
I was pretty excited by the beginning of this book because they are a couple who immediately fall in love at a young age. He's dashing and she's smart and gorgeous. Fast forward a few years, and their marriage is in shambles, and he's trying to win her heart with intrigue. Not as great as I expected, but not bad either
January 19, 2012
I tried to read this, got about a third of the way through and just couldn't take it anymore - the hero is a JERK. I kept reading, hoping for redeeming qualities, but he's just a jerk. I want his wife to just kick him out, but since it's a romance, I know they are going to kiss and make up.
March 29, 2010
Love the Boscastles! Wished to have visited the whole family even more with this new edition, book #9 but its a wonderful comfort to read this author's beautiful writing voice again that is full of humor and passionate romance!
January 5, 2011
Did really have a good story flow. Took me four days to read b/c it couldn't hold my interest. But love her earlier Bocastle series
October 1, 2009
Boring. That's my one-word review. I really had to force myself to finish this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews