The Knight Miscellany Book 3
On with my Knight Miscellany re-read. This time it’s Colonel Lord Damien Knight, the Earl of Winterley, and a forbidden love trope. When I say forbidden, it’s not that forbidden because Miranda FitzHubert is his ward. I’d class it as a little ethically dubious, but that’s all.
There’s a bit of an age gap, too. I think she’s about nineteen and he’s in his late twenties or early thirties. This didn’t bother me at all, because, in my opinion, she’s an adult.
Alongside the love story, Miranda’s life is in danger. She’s the illegitimate child of a gentleman and an actress. Both her parents were killed when she was young and her uncles left her in a boarding school where she’s been mistreated. There’s a hint that she’s been sexually abused, but she doesn’t seem to suffer any trauma. I felt this was a thread that was kind of ignored.
One of Miranda’s uncles dies, leaving her to the care of his commanding officer, Damien, but the other uncle wants her dead so he can get his hands on her money. This part could have added more suspense to the novel, but we’re given the villain’s POV throughout, which wipes out any suspense and makes that aspect of the plot predictable.
Damien is heralded as a famous war hero, but he suffers from PTSD and is afraid of hurting those he loves because he experiences violent episodes. Miranda has also been traumatised after watching her parents drown, but she just wants someone to love and accept her. She longs to fit into Damien’s family and she wants to find a husband. Obviously, this is hampered because she falls in love with her guardian and he’s determined to keep his distance, despite their mutual attraction.
Miranda, however, doesn’t like being told what to do. She is determined to find love and break through Damien’s protective walls. So, you can expect plenty of tension, longing, jealousy, and possessive outbursts from an alpha male who’s used to people following his orders.
Sections of this book felt boring and repetitive because there are lots of passages of inner monologue that slowed the pace of the narrative. But, there are still plenty of nice historical details to help ground the reader in the period, which you know I like.
Regarding heat, this was slow burn. There are plenty of touches and the odd passionate kiss, with only two brief scenes towards the end after which, Damien’s PTSD miraculously disappears.
If you’re looking for a grumpy, authoritative hero and a heroine who wants to be loved, but bristles at being told what to do, then you’ll love this book.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Feels: ⭐️⭐️
Heat: ⭐️⭐️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️
