To Tame a Wild Heart Book

Found wondering the Scottish countryside as a child, the heroine has nothing to her name besides a flute which she uses to communicate with the creatures of the forest and the memories of a white beast that saved her life. Now she's been torn from her comfortable life as an animal doctor by a Duke who claims she is in fact his long lost daughter. Though she has no desire to be a duchess or involved in the world of pretty gowns and grand castles, she feels obliged to the man to at least try to become a lady, at least until he realizes his mistake and lets her leave. The hero has spent far too much time in London society and as such as developed for himself quite a seedy reputation. He's called back by his dear friend to the countryside upon hearing that the duchess has returned. He thought for the longest time that as the duke has no other children, the hero would inherit the title but the fact that the old man might get his heart broken by a scamming wench is the biggest fear. So he returns to where he's always felt a home, a place where he has purpose and a sense of peace. He offers to help teach the girl to become a duchess. She is uncouth and ignorant of how a duchess should act but he finds her instantly charming and devastatingly beautiful. For the first time he finds himself feeling love for a woman but is forbidden to court her as the duke, his friend thinks the hero nothing more than a rakehell that will break her heart. So, he finds himself lost and without hope to have the one thing he desires above everything else. The heroine slowly starts to integrate herself into her new roll but she stills wants to leave. The only things keeping her there is firstly the white beast is coming, seeking her out for her aid. It's impossible for her to turn her back of any beast let alone the magical unicorn who saved her life as a child. Secondly, he other main reason for staying is the fact that she's fallen in love with the hero. Though she at times doubts his motivates and true feelings as she receives news of his exploits in London and the torturous visitation of his potential mistress. But she is level headed if a bit naïve. She allows the hero to explain himself and she takes the time to explore all the facts before she forms an opinion. I loved that about her. They had a great relationship. Honest and pure despite the hero's past and the heroine's strange abilities. It was a relationship that took time to evolve past flirtation and innuendos and slowly they went from a friendship to something deeper. The hero was a great character because he never was disgusted by the heroine's abilities and he strived at every opportunity to prove to others he was no longer than man he'd been in London but rather something reliable. This is evident when he leaves the castle just before the heroine's depute and while she's being courted by a handful of men to help her save the unicorns life. He knew what she needed and what meant the most to her and gave it to her. Awesome book.