Westhavens #2
Emily Bascom
Historical Romance
Published in 2009
H/h - Major Daniel Westhaven/Lilliana Penvensey
Setting: London, 1781.
Read in December, 2014.
My rating:
[spoiler alert]
Major Westhaven’s Unwilling Ward, book 2 in the Westhavens series by Emily Bascom, proved to be a major improvement from book 1. This had much more to offer to me; a sexy and broody war hero and a feisty little heroine who won’t give up on him, even when I was getting exasperated with him. It made the whole affair sweeter, and I enjoyed watching the stubborn oaf fall.
Major Westhaven’s Unwilling Ward is set in the early 1780s. Major Daniel Weshaven has seen it all, even though he’s only in his early 30s. He sure feels like an ancient man! He’s a war veteran, whose career ended swiftly after an injury, though failed to take his life, left him maimed. This harsh reality, apart from the fact that he’d lost many of his good friends and comrades including Robert Penvensey, made Daniel’s life unbearable. The truth that he’d always have to be without a leg hit him hard. Daniel didn’t know if he’d ever be able to keep the promises he made to Robert about his younger sister, Lilliana, before his death. He always wanted Daniel, whom he held on high esteem, to become Lilliana’s guardian. The Penvensey siblings were orphans and she’d be basically left all alone in the world if Robert’s not there for her. But a broken, angry and frustrated with life Daniel returned home and became a complete recluse. He was recuperating at his family estate Oakridge with only a few faithful servants like the old butler, John, in attendance. He didn’t want anyone to know about his weakened state. The prideful man in him wouldn’t let him, for you see, Daniel was battling not only the demon’s of war, but also the depression of being made to feel ‘less of a man’ due to its adverse affect on his body.
For those who read The Rogue’s Kiss,
book 1, Daniel is Kit and Roisin’s son, the heir. He has more siblings
but most of them are married, living far away. None are introduced in
this story but only by mention. Either way, Daniel wouldn’t see them,
neither was he interested in returning to the polite society where he
was once very popular, if not for his dark good-looks but for his
charming and confident personality. After a year of grieving for his old
self, Daniel finally takes it up on himself to inquire after his ward,
secretly, also sending her a monthly allowance when it became apparent
that she needed it ASAP. But most of all, Daniel wanted to see her in
flesh because in his pain-induced fevered dreams, Daniel dreamed of the
beautiful young, blonde girl, a small likeness of whom he’d seen thanks
to Robert, before he perished. He still possesses that painting till
today.
Lilliana, or Lily, is in dilemma. A seemingly big one.
After her parents passed away and Robbie went to war, she was fortunate
enough to stay with an aunt, who took her in and loved her as a
daughter. Heartbreakingly enough, Lily got the news of her only
brother’s passing a year ago. Then her aunt’s sad demise left her quite
effectively alone in this world. Her aunt’s wastrel of a son is not as
caring and wants to sell the small townhouse she’d been living in until
now. Lily doesn’t need a lot to go by for she knows how to be frugal.
She’d gotten rid of most of the servants when her financial troubles
became very apparent. But now, she doesn’t know how long she has in this
house, and what she’d do if she’s forced to leave. She’s thankful for
the small amount of allowance she’s been receiving for the past couple
of months from a ‘mysterious benefactor’, whose name her lawyer wouldn’t
divulge but that he was known to Robbie. Lily longs to meet this man
and thank him in person, if only she could know his identity.
The
opportunity for them both arrives at a ball that Lily was attending,
quite in desperation to find a husband before all is lost. She knew this
is her only chance to solve her financial problems. Maybe her last
before her cousin decides to throw her out. Lily is beautiful and
revered by many men for her golden good-looks, though they don’t appear
to ask for her hands because of the lack of a dowry. Yet there are some
young beaus that she’d like to impress with in hopes of a proposal.
Lily’s trained in the ways of a Lady of the ton. Her experiences have
taught her that men generally like vapid, twittering women, and so,
she’s forced to assume such a façade so that she can finally find a
husband though she hated every minute of it.
This, though, gets
her in trouble with Daniel who identifies her on spot. Of course Lily
had no idea but when she finds him looking at her, she’s flustered by
his intense stare nonetheless. But Daniel wrongly assumes that she’s an
air-headed creature like the rest of her peers here. Needless to say,
he’s disgusted. He never expected the smart Robert Penvensey’s sister to
be such a disappointment. Maybe, it was also because secretly, Daniel
wanted her to different than the rest of the Ton ladies. When they’re
introduced, it was apparent that both harbored dislike for each-other;
Daniel for obvious reasons, Lily not knowing why this handsome stranger
is so critical of her or why is he so rude as to deny anyone asking for a
dance. Then she accidentally eavesdrops on him talking to a group of
men, where he’s rather unkind with his words about her vapid nature.
This really hurts Lily and I could feel her pain.
This was just a big, fat misunderstanding. Before the ball ends, Daniel
decides to introduce himself as Robert’s friend, and
her guardian, which definitely shocked Lily into speechlessness!
The
very next day, while Lily is contemplating why Robert would make a rude
man such as Major Westhaven as her guardian, he arrives as promised in
the ball. There, he also confesses about sending her money. Then he
makes it clear that Lily has to move in with him at his townhouse or at
Oakridge, wherever she likes it the best. But Lily has NO intentions of
living under his roof. I loved it that she doesn’t forget to remind
Daniel that she’d heard him in her own sarcastic way. Now it was Daniel
who was mortified. They manage to have a civil conversation afterwards
where they reminisce about Robert. Daniel was pretty sure that Lily
didn’t care for anything but balls and gowns, not even her only brother.
When he hands her over that miniature Robert carried, Daniel finds Lily
in tears and had to change his mind. Of course he was wrong! One good
thing comes from it though, Lily agrees to move in with him.
Now
don’t judge Daniel harshly. He has suffered enough, and has changed
after his time in the war. Unfortunately, he trusts very few people and
keeps his life very private because of that damnable
pride. I, never once, blamed him for being frustrating in the story.
Next,
when Lily comes to visit Oakridge, there is another misunderstanding.
Daniel is, again, rather short with John because he made a comment in
front of his guests. If you’ve read book 1, you’d know that John has
been in Daniel’s family for a long time and was a close friend to his
father, Kit. And sadly, he’s the only character still living from book
1. Kit and Roisin have already passed away. Nevertheless, Daniel’s
behavior towards his elderly servant doesn’t make him anymore popular
with Lily. She’s pretty disgusted. When she confronts him about it, they
have a minor spat. The result? And angry Lily running out in the rain,
adamant of never living in this arrogant, bad-mannered man’s home.
Daniel runs after her........ and we have our first kiss. :D Well, it
was bound to happen sooner or later, because Lily was attracted to
Daniel no matter what. I don’t think I have to clarify what Daniel felt.
He was positively having difficulties in keeping his hands to himself,
which clashed with the words he’d given to Robert. He was there to
protect her, and not take advantage. Besides, he was not ready to
divulge his secret to anyone, if ever.
Daniel’s determination to
keep his injury a secret becomes THE ISSUE in the story. He’d always
make sure that no one but a handful of trusted people knew about it,
even if it kills him, even if he hurts someone in the process. And he
does hurt Lily over and over again every time she tried to get a little
closer, hoping, praying that he’ll let her. Also,
their misunderstanding regarding their feelings for one another, and the
expectations, led to a few disasters. Being rebuffed by Daniel more
than once, even after melting kisses, Lily was sure he’s not
that interested in her. Maybe he prefers experienced
women, which Lily certainly is not. She feels jealous and hurt, but she
also knows she has no claim on her guardian.
At that point, a
wastrel, who was after Lily’s now-more-than-sufficient dowry, decides to
take advantage. That guy, though the heir of an Earl, has never before
given her any special attention other than mild flirtation until the
news that she’s Daniel’s ward became public. He was a spoiled brat who
had no respect for women and was very sure that Lily would be over the
top after his proposal. As in, he’d be doing a big favor to her for
which she’d be forever grateful, and he can enjoy her dowry to his
heart’s content. Lily and Daniel’s misunderstandings work on this guy’s
favor and he’s permitted to court her, though none wanted him anywhere
near Lily. Lily had no particular liking for that guy. She just wanted
to return the favor to her guardian by getting married ASAP so that he
doesn’t have to bear her responsibility for long. And Daniel thought
Lily had feelings for the wastrel. As I said, misunderstanding, and boy
was it frustrating! I can’t really blame Lily because Daniel’s earlier
comments about her didn’t help, as that guy was one of the peeps in that
gathering.
But when the time came, Daniel couldn’t come to terms
with giving the wastrel the permission to marry Lily. He just couldn’t
see them together, secretly acknowledging that it disturbs him to
imagine Lily with anyone but himself. Daniel wanted her so much, yet he
thought he’s just... not man enough and no woman would ever want the
half-man he’d become. Obviously he was vulnerable about his injury, yet
if only he’d let Lily in, things would be so much different! Because of
their continued misunderstanding, that wastrel was able to take full
advantage of it by kidnapping Lily, angry after being rejected. Debt,
and greed, made him blind, a bit insane too and Lily couldn’t believe
that once upon a time she thought him a friend! But thankfully, this
incident brought some stuff up front. Daniel got the scare of his life
when he’s made aware of the kidnapping. I’d be superbly unhappy if he
was still being obtuse and presumed Lily ran off with that guy but he
didn’t. He saw reason when Lily’s maid made some valid points as to why
they should consider this a kidnapping.
The injury, the pain of
long hrs of horse riding or exhaustion, nothing deterred Daniel from
giving them a chase on his own. When he finally caught up with them, I
was more than a little thrilled about it. It was one of those times in
the story where he should’ve let his feelings known. Unfortunately, he
still wasn’t sure if Lily would welcome him with open arms or be
disgusted by his injury that doesn’t particularly look pretty. I
understood his vulnerabilities, yet his rejections were hurting Lily,
and me, equally. I was more than a little frustrated at this point but
Lily wouldn’t give up on Daniel. She kept trying, even when he was being
short-tempered or rude. She remembered that day when John told her that
the war changed him in more ways than one, the reason why the old man
was never cross with Daniel no matter how he behaved. Lily was desperate
to find out exactly why and just how much. And she wanted to help him a
little by offering solace. If only he’d let her in.......
The
best scene of this book comes at the last chapter where Daniel finally
gives in. It becomes apparent that after months of being pushed away,
Lily was going to give up, then leave his home because she couldn’t live
like this anymore; deeply loving a man who wouldn’t let her in. This
was made worse by the fact, which Lily instinctively knew by then, that
Daniel felt the same. He cared for her deeply, yet he won’t trust her
with whatever he’s keeping a secret. Lily was just resigned... And
that got to him. Daniel understood that he needs to
take a leap of faith here and now, otherwise he might lose what probably
is his only chance at happiness. That scene was heartbreakingly
beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. All he needed was Lily’s
acceptance, which she does by opening up her heart to him even more.
Taking him in her arms and by showing him just how much she loves him no
matter what.
I missed that there wasn’t an epilogue, much like
book 1. After so much push and pull, angst and frustration, there
should’ve been one. I needed to see them in marital bliss, even with
children, I don’t know. I just needed to see that love flourishing
afterwards. Right now, I’m just glad that I didn’t give up after reading
book 1. 4 stars and recommended.
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