When the Marquess Was Mine: The Wagers of Sin

Caroline Linden

Sep 2019 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

In the game of love…

Georgiana Lucas despises the arrogant and cruel Marquess of Westmorland even before learning that he’s won the deed to her friend Kitty’s home in a card game. Still, Georgiana assures Kitty the marquess wouldn’t possibly come all the way to Derbyshire to throw them out—until he shows up, bloody and unconscious. Fearing that Kitty would rather see him die, Georgiana blurts out that he’s her fiancé. She’ll nurse the hateful man back to health and make him vow to leave and never return. The man who wakes up, though, is nothing like the heartless rogue Georgiana thought she knew…

You have to risk it all

He wakes up with no memory of being assaulted—or of who he is. The bewitching beauty tending him so devotedly calls him Rob and claims she’s his fiancée even as she avoids his touch. Though he can’t remember how he won her hand, he’s now determined to win her heart. But as his memory returns and the truth is revealed, Rob must decide if the game is up—or if he’ll take a chance on a love that defies all odds.

Ratings and reviews

I read the first in this series, the second is buried somewhere in my TBR pile, and now we are at the third – easy to pick up and start from anywhere in the series, even though you will want to read the earlier installments. Georgiana is living at the ‘pleasure’ of her family, while being her own woman and controlling her own destiny, particularly after ruination as a young girl. But, her visit with one of her best friends, away from the London crowds is just what she needed to recharge her batteries. Disliking the tonne on principal, and titled men being the worst of the lot, she’s present when her friend Kitty’s husband reveals that a wager while gambling has left them in a precarious position. The Marquess of Westmoreland has won the house, and it is expected that he will arrive shortly to put everyone out. Of course, the letter tries to lay all the blame for the wager and loss at the feet of the Marquess, rather that into the hands of Kitty’s husband, but Georgiana is incensed on their behalf, and determined to find a solution. But while out riding, she spots a well-to-do man beset by footpads, and the rescue and ‘cover-up’ begins. For the man is none other than Westmoreland, and his condition is dire. Georgiana can’t leave him out in the elements, so he is brought in and passed off as her long-term, dowry issues yet to be settled with her brother, fiancé Robert. Westmoreland had no intentions of putting Kitty and her family out of the house, simply to put enough of a scare into her husband to ensure their security within the small Devon estate. But, the beating and head injury have left him not knowing who he is, and the constant attention from Georgiana has him noticing her, and being a far more pleasant version of himself than he had allowed to show. His purpose in going to Devon wasn’t simply to deal with the house won in a card game, but to deal with a more sinister matter of a shipping magnate whom they suspect of running slaves - a situation that is an anathema to him and his friends, and they are seeking for information to ruin him and close his business. Oh this was sweet – from Georgiana seeing a different side of Westmoreland and his slow regaining of his memory along with a penchant for Georgiana: her kindness, her intelligence and the ways in which she operates to ‘mostly’ run her own life, despite the constraints thrown upon her by her sex and her brother. From first attraction to ultimate explosion in which all secrets are laid bare – the two work well together, and Westmoreland, even after regaining his memories, is clearly interested in her – despite her history and background. With a final push to get all of the answers about the shipping company, bring the owner to ruin, and to obtain Georgiana’s freedom from her over-controlling and not particularly nice brother, it will take all of Georgiana’s friends cooperating with Westmoreland and his cronies to do the deed and make everything right. Clever, full of attraction and heart, and plenty of intrigue as plots and schemes are unraveled, the story is a quick read and neatly manages to give the third of the original schoolfriends a lovely chance at a life full of love and possibilities. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

When the Marquess Was Mine: The Wagers of Sin, book 3 by Caroline Linden is an awesome read. While Book 3 in this series, it can be read as a stand alone. Meet and follow, Lady Georgiana Lucas and (Rob), Robert Churchill-Grey, the Marquess of Westmoreland, on their journey to a HEA. A gambling bet and amnesia brought Lady Georgiana and Robert together, can circumstances and love keep them together? A very interesting story with lots of humor, a bit of intrigue, and a love story that defintely needs untangling. Well written and well excuted. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly. The cast of characters are engaging, charming and most enjoyable. Georgiana is a bit judgemental at first, while Rob is deemed the "Malicious Marquess". Ms. Linden manages to create a story that will hold readers spellbound, while, she throws in a few twists, romance, amnesia, secrets, spies, slave traders, sensual tension and so much more. Will Rob and Georgiana find their HEA. A must read

Such a delightful story that was perfect! I look forward to every book Caroline Linden writes because I know it will hold all the elements to enchant my imagination and make me fall in love with the characters! A celebratory night that ending in gambling, by some of the most dashing, daring rogues and scoundrels of London, celebrating the birthday of Rob, the Marquess of Westmoreland. What a rowdy bunch I have to say, but life changed in that last bet when Sir Charles Winston joined them and lost his home to Rob. Of course I don't think Rob really knew what he had won at the moment! He was a little impaired to say the least! Georgiana Lucas is visiting with her friend Kitty, wife of Sir Charles when she gets the news that he husband was cheated out of their home by the scoundrel Westmoreland! Oh what a tangled web! Then the journey begins! Rob goes to make things right with Mrs Winston, gets accosted, then rescued by Georgiana, but he has lost his memory I adored these two! A rogue who needed a bump on the head to start changing his life and a woman who begins to find that maybe one of her choices may not be as she thought. Love can be found in the most unexpected ways and with humor, well drawn characters, including secondary that I hope to see in the future, a villain and a budding romance, what more could you ask for? Not one thing. Fabulous.

About the author

Caroline Linden knew from an early age she was a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before turning to fiction. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award, the NJRW Golden Leaf Award, and RWA’s RITA® Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England with her family. Find her online at www.CarolineLinden.com.