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Colonel Ancroft's Love

by Sylvia Andrew

Caroline Duval has promised her dying grandfather to return an item to a home in Yorkshire. She doesn't know what the object is but her cousin is determined to get it from her; even willing to have her killed to obtain the object of his obsession. Upon her arrival in London, her solicitor is persuaded to help her in her quest. He promises to obtain an escort for her journey.

Caroline has led a wild life in the West Indies, marrying an unsuitable man and moving to New Orleans with him. Upon his death she returned to her home; her grandfather took her back in without question and helped her face down society, teaching Caroline to live her life as she wanted. The unconditional love he gave her makes her quest that much more important to her. When her solicitor persuades Colonel Ancroft to escort her, Caroline decides to adopt a disguise to play a trick on the Colonel but also to confound her pursuers.

Colonel John Ancroft has been living a restrained life not giving anyone much of his background. He is estranged from his family, though he stands as heir to an uncle who would have disinherited him if he could. Upon the death of his uncle, John has inherited the title of Marquess of Coverdale and a family who hates him. After taking care of business in London, he is traveling to Yorkshire to see how the damage done to the estate by his uncle. Only through great effort is he persuaded to escort the widow who must journey to Yorkshire.

As they travel together Caroline and John will learn more about each other. They will have to overcome their own insecurities to be able to forgive themselves so that they can open up enough to accept the love that has developed.

This is the third in Ms. Andrew's trilogy that started with Lord Calthorpe's Promise. While I enjoyed this book, it wasn't as strong as her last one, Lord Trenchard's Choice. Both of main characters wallowed in their guilt over past actions too much for my taste.