The Wedding Gamble is a marriage of convenience story. The hero, Nicholas Stanhope, Marquess of Englemere is a widower. Most people think that he is still mourning his wife, Lydia, and for that reason has not sought a new bride. In fact, Lydia betrayed Nicholas and he would happily remain single. Then, his younger brother tragically drowns and Nicholas must seek a new wife for the sake of the succession.
On the eve of his betrothal ball to the beauteous Clarissa Beaumont, Nicholas is subjected to his fiancee's raging temper for the first time. Her friend, Sarah Wallingford, who is a guest of the Beaumonts, seeks to smooth over the situation with her calm good sense. Nicholas soon realizes that Miss Wallingford is the competent voice of reason in the Beaumont household. He is intrigued by this woman who is the antithesis of the high strung Clarissa.
Nicholas soon discovers that Sarah has come to London to snare a wealthy husband. Her gambler father had left the family deeply in debt and, unless she can find a man willing to pay off the nearly £10,000 mortgage on the family estate, the family will lose its home. Unfortunately, Sarah has caught the attention of the unsavory but very wealthy Sir James Findley. Findley has already reputedly driven two wives to suicide and Sarah is well aware of his sadistic proclivities. But she is willing to sacrifice herself for her family's sake.
When another flight of temper leads Clarissa to break off their engagement, Nicholas concludes that Sarah would make him the perfect wife. And so he offers her a marriage of convenience. He doesn't want passion and romantic love in his second marriage. He wants the friendship and respect he feels for Sarah. She, of course, gratefully accepts.
But there is no sudden and swift recognition that the hero and heroine have found true love after all. There are numerous problems that the two have to work through. There is Nicholas' beautiful mistress who would dearly love to continue the connection and for whom Nicholas feels a certain loyalty. There is the neighbor Sarah loved but could not marry because of their families' financial woes. He arrives too late to prevent the marriage but clearly still loves his childhood sweetheart. Nor is Sinjin a cipher, but rather a real potential threat to the marriage. And lurking in the background there is the evil Sir James who, balked of his prey, is more than willing to cause problems for the newlyweds.
Sarah is a most admirable heroine. She is intelligent, capable, loyal and, above all, honorable. Whatever her feelings for her lost love, she will be a good and faithful wife. That she responds so passionately to her husband is the first indication that her feelings for him run deeper than mere gratitude, liking and respect.
Nicholas too is a very lovable hero. He is strong, dependable and passionate. But at the same time he is understanding, intuitive and concerned about the feelings of his wife. He values her opinions and friendship and treats her like an equal partner in everything he does. He understands her fear and insecurities and helps her conquer them.
There have been many incidents in the book which have been potrayed very beautifully. The return of Sinjin, and the fears, doubts and insecurities that it brings to both Sarah and Nicholas are very beautifully worded. And what is even more admirable is the fact that inspite of all these insecurities Nicholas and Sarah are able to maintain a caring and loving relationship, understanding each other and not jumping to conclusions.
The highlight of the book for me is the part where Sarah suffers the miscarriage. Sarah’s feelings that she has failed Nicholas and her fear that she has fallen in love with him touches my heart. But what makes me almost cry is Nicholas concern for Sarah and the helplessness he feels when he cannot comfort her, his hurt when she pushes him away and shuts him out.
The secondary characters Sinjin, Clarissa, Nicholas’ friends Hal and Ned, Lord Wexley, and Sally Jersey are also very well sketched,
This is a definite 9.5 / 10 book!
Wedding Gamble (Harlequin Historical Series)
