“Because I can make them more than what they want,” she said. “Does it not strike you as absurd, to go to such lengths, when English women, as you say, are oblivious to style? Why not give them what they want?” He’s a feckless, selfish man who flits through life with no purpose but to enjoy one pleasure after the other. Marcelline wants this marriage to happen though because Lady Clara would be a magnificent advertisement for the Maison Noirot and if Clevedon doesn’t marry Lady Clara, then it may be years before he gets married and maybe to someone who is only half as magnificent as Lady Clara.Īnd frankly, this story couldn’t be told any other way. Since her numerous endowments included high rank, impeccable lineage, and a splendid dowry, men threw themselves at her, right and left. She was stunningly beautiful: fair-haired and blue-eyed in the classic English rose mode. They’d seen Lady Clara Fairfax on several occasions. They aren’t betrothed and Lady Clara is beautiful, wealthy and comes from a titled and important family. What’s interesting about this is that the scandal wouldn’t affect Lady Clara so much as it would affect Clevedon. The idea of pre marital fidelity doesn’t really enter his mind. Yet, his sole focus is on getting Marcelline in bed. I’m not going to say I wasn’t made uncomfortable about this set up. It is not her intention because no dressmaker will be successful if it is known that she seduces the gentlemen. And regrettably, Marcelline is nearly struck dumb by Clevedon as well. Yet, when it was suggested to Clevedon it was time to marry Clara he ran away abroad and took his best friend, Clara’s brother, Longmore, with him.įrom the moment that Clevedon meets Marcelline, it is over for him. Clevedon was fostered in the Clara’s household after his drunken father died. Determined to change their fortunes, Marcelline hunts down the Duke of Clevedon when society papers indicate that he is readying to return to England to marry his childhood friend, Lady Clara Fairfax. They have spent years trying to build up their fashion house, Maison Noirot, but have not yet broken into the ton where the leaders of fashion reside. Marcelline Noirot is the eldest of three sisters who came to England young and nearly penniless.

And if she could not? Then to hell with the world.

Or at least the entirety of the world that mattered. The Duke of Clevedon falls so in love with Marcelline Noirot, shopkeeper, that he believed she could convince the entire world that they belonged together. He truly believed she could do anything.” Jane B+ Reviews fashion / Georgian / Historical Romances / London / Loretta-Chase / opposites attract / Paris 36 Comments JREVIEW: Silk Is for Seduction by Loretta Chase