The Earl Claims His Wife Book

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The louse married her as he considered her suitable even though he loved another (unsuitable) woman. It's an arranged match but she accepted his proposal as she loved him on sight. They marry, he has his wedding night and post act informs her that he loves another, totally shattering her. Speak of timing!
Things are hazy post that but he goes off to war (for four years) leaving her to live with his cold, manipulative and adulterous parents. He thinks his obligations are met with as she gets a regular stipend as he does the ow/mistress. Wow, way to go!

Some other things about the past before I get to the present where the book opens . The ow is a milkmaid - a childhood companion. That's cute... but adultery and cheating are just that! So he acquires a wife he (or his position) needs and a mistress he wants. He apparently goes back to the ow i.e. has sex with her during their marriage. For how long it goes on before he goes to war is unclear. Does he have concurrent sex with the h as well? We don't know but is certainly possible.

The books open (after those 4 years) on a rebellious h who has left her in-laws' home and thinks herself attracted to and in love with the divine Andres. He's a dream om and if she had any sense, would have run away with him. The husband has been back in England for 6 months now and hasn't yet bothered to come for her - oh, he sends intermittent letters instructing her to come to him but doesn't make any greater effort.

So now the husband makes an appearance and forces her to go back with him - which she does to avert a duel between a cold, proprietorial husband and a protective, gallant om. Her conditions include a month of marriage in exchange for freedom. He says yes but doesn't mean it. When has he ever meant what he said? She falls for him again on the trip back! Gawd, woman after years of neglect, you forgive him and shag him too all within 24 hours! I have to say the tree climbing scene was cute but has to be seen in the perspective of who and why now and really? He says he did it as he has never before done anything (romantic) for her. Cynical me thinks he didn't do even this for her, but for a warm bed and a warm body that might come with it.

The biggest shocker awaits her in London - the real reason he needs her. His mistress' illegitimate baby. Thankfully he doesn't belong to the H but shares his genes. *eye waggle* Good lazy way of carrying on the story, showing his 'honourable' side with milk of kindness and humanity flowing freely. The only time he tears up in the story is when he's speaking of the babe! Okay, I may sound mean, really baby-hating mean but I couldn't stand the idea of that baby. Oh, he's sweet and vulnerable but why does the h (or even him) have to raise the bitch's son.
So now the h is suddenly essential, attractive and (eminently) beddable as well. He never was attracted to another as he is to his wife. The sex is suddenly (after 4 years of marriage) explosive and incomparable. And unicorns are pooping rainbows!

Lets rip it apart further.
This book has hints of victim blaming and levelling the field by 'honor-ising' the perpetrator. There's a clear campaign of turning him into an honourable and nice person.
The author says it repeatedly, the h starts to believe it and repeats it and even her cousin who never liked him picks it up. No overt victim blaming but yes, hints of past sex being boring, uninspiring and awkward. Well, she was a virgin on her wedding night and your confessions of love for another couldn't have improved matters. 'Strong privileged you vs poor helpless her' also gets a fleeting time on the stage. But why am I explaining it, the book wanted to give excuses and gives it.

But I would like to know when and how he 'fell out of love' with the ow. Apparently, her defection doesn't affect him hugely but still the author could have built more on that. And how much communication he had with her all this time. He wrote back sparingly to the h who wrote to him devotedly for some time.

And is it love - finally?
Not if you ask me. The love of his life and his unscrupulous randy father have given him a kick in the gut. He's alone and lonely and needed someone in his corner. And who better than his eminently suitable and capable wife? To keep home for him, to rear the child, to help in his political career and to finally aid him in settling down. He's not getting any younger.

Love just happens- naturally, without reasons and justifications (as it did for the h). Of course, it can grow as you get to know a person better. But the way he tabulates her qualities seem like he's vetting her for a job or betting on a winning horse or convincing himself! She's nice, resourceful, a helpmate, resilient, brave, courageous, everything a man could desire in a woman, all that's good and honest, would not betray him. Get the picture?

Worst part?
He never shows remorse - not really - for deserting her, hurting her, betraying her. Imperfect Hs are okay but they have to accept their faults and not make excuses. You betrayed her badly so now don't make it worse. There are excuses galore for his behaviour. He had to grow up, wisen up to appreciate someone like her and his time time away at war is supposed to do have done that. If he truly loved her (now) there would've been remorse - heartfelt guilt and regret at hurting her so and throwing her over and a future with her for a worthless woman. Sorry - that one word can really begin healing. There are times (later part of the book) when the h seems like a secondary character and it was more about the H. Her feelings didn't matter, certainly her resolve and pride didn't matter. (hide spoiler)]