Florence Fairleigh is a vicar's daughter in need of a good marriage. When her father dies, she and her maid more to London to search for a husband with her modest dowry. She hooks up with daddy's lawyer who also happens to be Edward Burbrooke's attorney. Edward is in need of a wife for his errant brother whose homosexual dalliances are causing a stir in London society. His aunt takes Florence under her wing, and soon she is squired around town as the belle of society with Freddie Burbrooke as her intended.

To keep her from finding out about his sordid past, they travel to the family estate to let the two get to know each other better. The problem is that Edward is extremely attracted to her, and no amount of visits to his mistress can cure him of his need for her. Florence too is finding that she prefers the company of Edward since he makes her all tingly. But can she give herself to Freddie when Edward has captured her heart? What will Florence do when she finds out the real reason for her betrothal?

I had a really hard time following this - I am not a fan of historical bodice-ripping romances. The clunky Victorian dialog interspersed with terms no Victorian woman (or man for that matter) would utter was laughable. But no one writes spicy erotic scenes like Emma Holly. To think how creative she was without stealing the woman's virtue... So I have done my one historical for the decade. Back to Holly's contemporary heroines who would kick Edward in the nuts for pulling such a fast one.

Esta fue la primera novela romántico-histórica escrita por una mujer contemporánea que leí. De entrada me pareció fascinante; acostumbrada a clásicos como "Pride and prejudice" fue como quitarme una venda de los ojos para descubrir todo un nuevo mundo de novela romántica-histórica, pero por desgracia no todas son como Emma Holly, no todas tienen escenas de sexo explícito tan sensuales y mucho menos como las de la Holly en este libro. Escenas eróticas en donde los orgamos de la protagonista no salen de una chistera y que hacen que las páginas del libro ardan literalmente entre tus manos.

Tibors

I really like this book. It is my first Emma Holly and was not disappointed. The only complaint I had was, it could've been longer, I normally read real thick novels, like Virginia Henley and Kathleen Woodiwiss. Also, it would've been better if the took her virginy right in the middle of the book and not at the very end, or Ms. Holly should've at least made the story longer. Its a very hot book, even right at the beginning, there was a lot of tension and unspoken desire between the hero and heroine that I had goosebumps at the part when they actually got together. I think she should rewrite this and make it into a 400 page novel. Anyway, it is definitely not my last Emma Holly.

I am a voracious romance reader and found this to be far more erotic than your average historical. I loved the characters and found it to be one of my all time favorites. It is in my fave re-read stack to go back to it every couple of months. Be sure to follow up with Merry's story in Beyond Seduction. This was such a great book that it prompted me to go out and buy other Emma Holly books, all were very good, but these two historicals are her best. I am hoping to see more historicals come out in future. Beyond Desire is trade size book featuring both stories and yes I went out and purchased it even though I have the two individual books! I promise you they are that good. Beyond Innocence is so good it has everything a great historical love story needs with a great deal of spice added that you will not find in other historicals. I love It !Emma Holly is fantastic.