The Earl’s Match by Holly Bush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In October 1871, Payden MacTavish Thompson and Robbie McClintock traveled to Scotland to reclaim Dunacres. Dunacres was home to the Earls of Taviston but had fallen prey to Cameron Plowman. After his parents were murdered during a voyage to New York City, Payden was raised by his fourteen-year old sister and Aunt Murdoch. Muireall had changed their name to Thompson in hopes that Plowman would not find them. Unfortunately, he found the family and terrorized them with kidnappings and more. Payden was going to end the reign of terror, and his best friend, Robbie, accompanied him. They had thought they would only be gone for a month or two. They were very mistaken.

In May 1876, Payden and Robbie were returning. Payden had successfully reclaimed his family’s Scottish property and killed Plowman. Leaving his trust in Kenneth Mitchell as a steward, he knew Dunacres would recover from the neglect. However, he couldn’t let go of the memories of the horrors he endured and his broken heart. Robbie was bringing his paramour, Colleen Sinclair, with him. The only woman Payden had ever loved was killed by Plowman’s men. Despite killing the men, Payden and Robbie were both placed in a dungeon. Robbie was returning with a limp and a facial scar. Payden returned with anguish and flashbacks of death.

Several days after their return, Muireall asks Payden for assistance. She was helping the Sisters of Charity rescue a woman and her children from an abusive husband. She thought his presence might prevent Mr. Faraday from interfering. Payden called Robbie as a backup and joined Muireall. Despite the presence of a police officer, Mr. Faraday was holding a knife to his wife’s neck. After seeing Robbie take the last child and an elderly woman out the back of the house, Payden and Officer McLean tried to negotiate for the woman’s freedom. Mr. Faraday pointed his knife at the officer and then began to swing the blade towards the woman. Payden pulled his pistol and killed him.

At the orphanage, Muireall and Payden were preparing to leave when the Endicott women brought donations. When Clarice Endicott’s younger sister faints from the sight of blood on Payden’s shirt, Clarice glares at the incorrigible man. A second trip to the orphanage with clothing for Mrs. Faraday finds Payden and Clarice facing each other. After accusing Payden of being a monster for not covering the blood that he probably got from being an apprentice butcher, Payden decides to take her snobbery down a peg. The blood had been from Mr. Faraday. Clarice pales and is horrified to have misjudged Payden by his appearance. This is not the last time Payden and Clarice will bump heads.

This is an intriguing story with amazing character development. Beyond romance, the story dives into overcoming grief and ignoring what is proper to do what is right. I liked Payden’s view, as it felt relatable. The archaic stigma of a woman’s value was based on her family’s background and who she married, which were definite obstacles for Clarice. The alternating perspectives of Payden and Clarice added depth to the story by showing their insecurities.
I recommend The Earl’s Match for anyone who enjoys a forbidden romance full of adventure and intrigue.

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