Born To Be Wilde by Eloisa James

This book is the third in the Wilde family series. Parth Sterling was sent to the Wildes at the age of five by his parents who were living in India and planned to follow him soon, but ended up getting sick and died along with his young brother.  He became a ward of the Wildes, but really he became a member of the family.  He had no title so he worked hard in business to make something of himself and became a huge success owning many businesses including a lace factory and creating his own bank.  Lucinda Grey is the daughter of a Lord who died some years ago and is being watched over by her mother. She grew up with Willa from the first book and her cousin is Diana from the second book.  She was an heiress and has had countless marriage proposals both in England and in Paris until recently when her mother confessed that they were broke and more importantly she has stolen from Willa's accounts when she stayed with them and then she stole Diana's emerald necklace and tiara that Diana was blamed for stealing by her mother and sold them to finance the Paris trip.

Diana tells Lavina to go to Parth and propose marriage. Parth is rich and more importantly a real problem solver who can fix her problem with her mother.  He also might not mind that she has no dowry.  But it all goes wrong and he turns her down. Then Lavina gets sick with influenza and Parth becomes rather concerned and sits by her bedside for a night and promises to find her a husband since he has figured out that she has no dowry.

While she has been sick she learns that her mother's taking of her laudanum drops has long been an addiction and has become deadly and needs to be dealt with. Lady Knowle, the Duke's sister has her mother placed in a nice home for addicts.  Lavina suggests that Diana have a trousseau and the Duke agrees to pay for it. Diana insists that Lavina help her with it and Lady Knowle agrees to go with them in order to organize the family's clothing for Diana's wedding. Before leaving Lavina finds out that Parth plans on asking an Italian countess named Elisa to marry him and her heart is broken because she has been in love with him for years as they have traded barbs and argued over everything.

In London Parth and Lavina meet up at a silk sellers shop where he insults her looks by saying she is pale and skinny and sickly looking and had earlier insisted on her being seen by a doctor. They then share an intense kiss outside of the shop in the rain.  Parth still introduces her to a Prince of Norway who is so captivated by her he plans on asking her to marry him when he gets back from Norway.  Parth hates him, of course, and doesn't think he's good enough for Lavina.  Lavina can't help but like Elisa who is charming and delightful which makes it even harder knowing that the two of them will be married.

While Lavina is going around to the shops putting together Diana's trousseau, she stops at the silk store and Mr. Felton the owner offers her a commission if she buys her silk from him.  Now Lavina sees a way to make some money to pay for the emeralds and Willa's account.  The other merchants also agree to offer her a commission as well and when one of the ladies of society finds out that she is putting together Diana's trousseau she wants her to put together her trousseau for a commission.  Now she may earn money for a dowry.

But Parth is appalled at the idea. Parth also made the comment to North that she is as"shallow as a puddle" and he keeps harping on the fact that she bought a lot of bonnets. He seems to think that she was the reason that there is no dowry, when in fact it was her mother who went through the money.  He seems to think the worst of her and not respect her or think much of what she seems to find interesting which is fashion.  Or that she can or should make a living doing something with it. But their kisses tell a different story altogether--that they should be with each other.  I really adore this series and I have been waiting patiently for Parth and Lavina's story and I wasn't disappointed.  Lavina has learned some things over the past three books and grown and Parth has changed a bit too in that he has decided to actually get married.  He still overreacts when people get sick due to his parents' death.  He also doesn't want to be hurt and guards his heart savagely.  Lavina is terrified of losing him so she refuses to tell him about her mother's thefts.  You really do wonder if these two will get together because he injures her so badly.   This book also sets up the next Wilde book which promises to be even better than the previous three.  This was a fantastic novel that keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can until you finish it.  I highly recommend this book.

Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Born-Be-Wilde-Wildes-Lindow-ebook/dp/B079WWKSCS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535987156&sr=8-1&keywords=born+to+be+wilde+eloisa+james