"Slightly Tempted" by Mary Balogh

Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh 2004

"Slightly Tempted" is the fourth book in the "Slightly" series. It follows Morgan Bedwyn, the youngest girl and indeed, the youngest child. The action begins in Brussels in mid-1815, where 18-year-old Morgan has gone - not far into her first season - to be closer to what is sure to be history in the making. Intellectual, sensitive, and somewhat mystic, Morgan is not impressed by the young men who surround her and urge her "not to worry her pretty head" about the preparations for war occurring around her. Enter Gervase Ashford. The eldest son who has recently inherited the title of Earl of Rosthorn, Gervase has spent the last nine years effectively banished from England. He blames his banishment on Morgan's eldest brother, Wulfric. Seeing in Morgan a chance to avenge himself on the man who wronged him, Gervase sets about to woo her. As the war closes in, Morgan finds herself unable to leave Brussels because her brother Alleyne - who works for the Hague - has gone missing. Abandonded by her chaperone, Morgan finds herself effectively in the care of Gervase, who finds himself feeling guiltier by the minute for avenging hiself on her...

This is certainly one of my favorite books of the "Slightly" series. The excitement of the backdrop of the battle of Waterloo, the grief of Alleyne's "death," and Morgan's sensitive nature all combine to make this one of the most emotionally powerful of the series. I adore Gervase - he's a good man without being perfect, and with a good deal of emotional growing to do and a lot to learn from Morgan, even though he thinks he's far wiser than she is. Morgan is also a fascinating charater - instead of being flighty or tomboyish, she's more of a mystic; a spiritual sort of intellectual who in the end must learn to heed the very lessons of trust that she teaches Gervase.

One of the most poignant moments in this book - which actually has nothing to do with Morgan, really - is the moment where you realize that the Bedwyns has reached the very bottom of despair. This, of course, is the scene where Morgan finds Wulfric weeping in his library after Alleyne's memorial service.

Rating

Family-Friendly Rating: