incredible. perfect. no notes.

lady charlotte is her father's only child from his first marriage and raised more like a son than a daughter. she's hiding what feels like a horrible secret, and thus is an expert at not getting married so as to avoid revealing it. darius carsington just wants to rake about england and publish scholarly papers, but his father has other plans for him, tasking him with returning a country estate to profitability - an estate that happens to border lady charlotte's father's. the two meet, they of course butt heads, but they each realize there's something deeper to the other that's simply irresistable.

these two are a perfect romantic hero and heroine. charlotte is funny and smart and manipulative and just wants someone to see her fully, but can't risk anyone finding out the secret she holds closest to  her heart. darius is <i>also</i>funny and smart and manipulative and when he screws his head on straight and realizes there's more to charlotte than just being a society ninny, he cannot help but fall in love with her.

the revelation of charlotte's secret is also perfect - this book isn't ancient but it isn't new, and i think it had a real chance to go sideways. but darius couldn't have reacted better. he comforts her and supports her and realizes he'll never know the full extent of what it means to carry this trauma, but wants to be there for her all the same. it's incredible.

this can definitely be read as a standalone, and i think it could be a great first historical romance for someone.

cw:

charlotte was ruined at age 16 and had a baby out of wedlock. the baby was given up for adoption and made it through a few homes before landing in a workhouse briefly and then coming to live with a local family, where he's eventually reunited with charlotte. it seems like charlotte experienced postpartum depression, and her family was very supportive through it