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?
Can I just say how much I love a book where the parents who are noblemen as well as all of the other connected characters are incredibly nice and caring? It was utterly refreshing! I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and the really mean characters to show up. I mean it did happen slightly, but not on the scale of most stories I read.
Emma was a wonderfully written character. You couldn't help but like her. She completely had her best friend, Lady Josephine, at the heart of all she did. I liked that she was just herself and never put on airs.
ears
Then there's the Italian, Luca, who is the ambassador to England. He's such an introverted, quiet guy it's hard to believe he's an Ambassador. When you learn about his growing up years you begin to understand why he's suited to the job.
It's so great getting to know both of the characters as well as all of the supporting ones. They're the kind of people we all want to hang around. It was delightful getting to know how they lived and how they entertained. There were a couple of really amusing moments through the story.
While Lady Josephine is Luca's goal, she and Sir Andrew spend their time verbally sparring with each other. They cracked me up with how they would goad each other and annoy the life out of each other. The opposite was Emma and Luca. They are pleasant to each other and very sweet without realizing how tender they were being to each other. It was an absolutely fulfilling story!
Sally primarily lives in Oklahoma with her husband, four children, and Izzie the Aussie Shepherd. She loves researching, hiking, and eating too much chocolate.
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