Historical
Sex and the Single Earl
By Dottie
May 1, 2010 - 12:27:15 PM

Simon St. James, the Ninth Earl of Trask, had plans to dominate Britain’s wool industry.  He had already made significant inroads to that effect.  He planned to align himself with Jeremiah Russell, who had built and run the most successful textile mills in Bristol.  However, Russell wanted proof that Simon could provide the necessary resources for the venture.  So the coal from the Stanton estate is absolutely necessary to his plans.  To obtain the estate, he had to marry Sophie Stanton, as the estate was part of her dowry.  He had always cared for Sophie and was there whenever she needed him.  Besides, he knew she was in love with him.  The one problem he had was his fear of scandal.  He had always had this fear, but now, with this partnership he was attempting to form, he had to be especially careful.  Mr. Russell was a Methodist, and he looked down on any type of wrongdoing. 

Sophie Stanton had been in love with Simon since she was twelve years old.  Though she has been through several Seasons, she has not found a husband, mainly because no one else measured up to Simon.  Her Grandfather Stanton added the Stanton estate to her dowry in hopes of finding her a husband.  Sophie is also known for always being in the middle of a scandal, though she means well.  She is visiting her two elderly aunts in Bath, while her mother is at his grandparents’ home.

On her way to the jeweler to get her gold family heirloom bracelet cleaned and repaired, Sophie was accosted by a young urchin who stole her reticule, which contained the bracelet.  She ran after him and had him cornered.  Seeing how thin, raggedy and terrorized he was, her heart squeezed with sympathy for him, as she told him he could take her reticule if he just gave her back the bracelet.  But, at that moment, a scullery maid came out and threw the contents of a large pail into the alley and all over Sophie.  The boy took this opportunity to make his getaway.  As always, when she was in trouble, Simon showed up.  Though Sophie wanted to find the boy and help him, Simon made her promise that she would not go looking for the boy, even promising to check the pawnshops himself for her bracelet and reticule.  But Sophie could not wait; she talked the curate from the church into going to some of the areas where the boy might be.  Going into the workhouses, she could not believe what she saw and was even more determined to do something for the boy.  Eventually, the boy brought her bracelet back to her as his sister had insisted.  When she discovered that the boy stole to help his sister, who was about to be sold by their father to the nearby brothel, she promised to help them.  Simon was furious when he heard where she had been.  So he put off proposing to her until later.  When he finally proposed, she reluctantly agreed, since she knew he did not love her and she wanted to keep the betrothal secret for awhile.  However, Simon wanted to get married soon and he needed proof of the upcoming marriage by putting the banns in the newspaper.  Spending time with Sophie, he suddenly realized that he loved her, but what will happen when she discovers he wants her land?

Deliciously sensual and wickedly witty, SEX AND THE SINGLE EARL is a delight.  Though Sophie knows that Simon is wary of any scandal, she can’t seem to help getting in trouble, it is almost like trouble finds her.  With a kind heart, Sophie is brought to tears at the plight of the children and swears that she will help them somehow.  Author Vanessa Kelly is so descriptive in her work you can almost see the workhouses and the condition of the children.  She manages to bring the story to life right before your eyes.  Filled with sensual love scenes, charismatic characters, an intriguing plot, romance and humor, this story is unforgettable.  I highly recommend SEX AND THE SINGLE EARL and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.