Perfectly predictable bride

A Perfect Bride is the first book in the Sterling Family series by Samantha James. This was my first book by this author. It was pretty good, and I went on to read the next in the series. This is a classic pygmalion tale, a poor waif rescued from destitution transformed through fate and circumstance into a dashing young woman. Her savior was none other than Sebastian Sterling, the marquess of Thurston.

Devon St. James has fallen on hard times, orphaned and forced to fend for herself in the slums of London. She has been scraping by and barely avoiding attack as she traverses the alleys and streets to and from her job in a seedy tavern. Sebastian happens upon her as he is riding through in his carriage in search of his wayward brother Justin. He almost runs over the prone figure in the street, and when he jumps down to see what it is, he finds a young girl passed out and bleeding.

Devon is rescued and taken to his house. She recovers, but no one knows she is staying in the house alone with the Marquess. It is a very precarious situation, and as she cleans up and spends more time around Sebastian, he finds himself seeing her less as a possible thief and more as the object of his desires.

Meanwhile, he is supposed to be hunting the marriage mart for a wife, but he cannot forget Devon’s presence in his house, and wishes to guide her into his bed, even if his honor would have him protect rather than use her. Their attraction is palpable. Devon finds Sebastian devastatingly handsome and worldly. She is drawn to him and doesn’t see the error in giving in to the desire, except when she is reminded that she has nothing to offer him, and he must marry well, as befits his station in life. Sebastian is torn between his duty and his desire for the girl in his house.

There is intrigue as parts of Devon’s past are revealed and emerge to haunt her. Sebastian risks losing her forever or inviting scandal upon the family name. Definitely ready to read the next book about Justin.