Georgiana Wilde is best friends with Quinn Fortesque and his cousin, Anthony Fortesque. Then the orphan Quinn is
sent away by his aunt and uncle, blamed for the tragic accident that caused Georgiana to have a disabling deformity.
Fifteen years later, Georgia still pines for Quinn, but when Anthony proposes to Georgiana, she accepts his
proposal. Though she knows Anthony is a dissipated rake, she believes her dream of marrying Quinn is lost forever.
She can at least wed the dear friend who has loved her since childhood. Then, on their wedding night, Anthony
tragically dies.
Anthony’s money-hungry mother dislikes Georgiana and sets out to prove her son’s marriage to Georgiana is not
valid. When Quinn, a widower and now the thirteenth Marquis of Ellsmere, returns to the estate, he realizes his
aunt’s intentions and is determined to protect his dear friend, little knowing of the love Georgiana holds for him.
Quinn soon realizes that Georgiana has become a strong woman who has handled estate matters with finesse since
his cousin’s death. A few days later, when his young daughter arrives, he is pleased to see the girl and Georgiana
develop a close friendship.
Though Georgiana loves Quinn, she hides this fact from him, fearing for her future and the future of her mother
and father, who reside on the estate. Quinn has his own secrets as well, centering on his understandable hatred
for his cousin, Anthony, and his dislike for his aunt. Even so, he becomes determined to keep Georgiana safe. Then,
when they share a kiss, Quinn realizes his love for her has never died.
This second installment in Sophia Nash’s Merry Widow Series is a pure delight. The Kiss is a masterpiece
of unrequited love, a fascinating tale laced with humor, mystery, and thoroughly loveable characters. The visiting
widows Georgiana invites to the estate, especially Ata, provide amusement and unexpected complications to the
relationship between Quinn and Georgiana, who struggle against their love for each other and the secrets they wish
to keep hidden. This is a definite keeper, and guaranteed to have you waiting anxiously for the next installment.