A Worthy Woman

The Montford Cousins, Book 3

By: L.L. Diamond

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Nicholas Montford is tired of the London Season, tired of the marriage mart, and most of all, he is tired of encountering a certain duchess from his past. The Hatton viscountcy has an estate in Ireland, a place his father wrote fondly of in his journal. By journeying to Ireland, Nicholas could escape the duchess he once loved as well as see to a property that a Montford has not visited since he was a boy. 

Despite his grandfather’s objections, he departs for County Antrim, eager to seek solace, but when he first espies a cloaked figure on horseback galloping across his lands as though fleeing for his life, Nicholas’s wishes seem for naught. He gives chase to the trespasser, but when a fiery redhead with a glare to match her locks emerges from the cape, he finds himself in a predicament he never imagined possible.

Lady Fiona Fitzgerald has no need of a gentleman to wed—not even the handsome viscount who just arrived at Montford, the neighbouring estate. As the Earl of Kildare’s only child and heir, she plans to live forever at Larchfield as a spinster. After all, her father raised her as he would a son: she rides astride, shoots with the men, and never reads romances, so why do as expected and marry a man? Why would she make herself subject to a gentleman’s whims? But what is she to do about Viscount Hatton? 

He has come to her rescue more than once, challenges her at every turn, and frustrates her to no end. He also stirs her like no other she has ever met. When her father poses an ultimatum, the irritating gentleman could be the answer, but can she entrust Viscount Hatton with her dilemma? By doing so, she might have to leave all she has known and cherished behind, but by taking such a huge risk, will she find something even greater—will she find love?

©2023 L.L. Diamond (P)2024 L.L. Diamond

Book 3 - Montford Cousins Series

Fabulous narration and performance by Deborah Balm. I appreciated her skill at switching from British to Irish accents, for male and female characters. I felt she really brought out the personalities of the characters. Really well done! This series is a favourite, and presents especially well via audiobook. Leslie Diamond has created such a favourable set of characters for it, I will always remember them. I anxiously await Jane Bennet’s turn in the the series.

Book review:
Running from his past, Nicholas flees to Ireland to spend time at the estate he has inherited. Approaching the property, he has a most surprising encounter with the fiery Lady Fiona, a woman that the reader soon learns can give Elizabeth Bennet a run for her money when it comes to her impertinence and headstrong nature. I refuse to spoil the details of this encounter. Raised by her father and without a mother, she is everything that a lady of the ton is not, yet still a lady. She has also sworn she will never marry—until her father decides to arrange a marriage for her to an old Irish earl, which forces her to take matters into her own hands and propose marriage to someone of her own choosing. Any guesses?

In addition to these two main characters, we meet new and likable ones in Ireland—Fiona’s father and Nicolas’s devoted staff. The plot of this mature and passionate romance is brilliantly paced, beginning in London with Nicholas’s encounter with his former lover, then taking him to Ireland where he discovers his true love. There’s a touch of angst and drama when Nicholas rises to defend Fiona’s honour after she is insulted by a cad. Finally, the story circles back to England for a reunion with his family and a final confrontation with his former lover.

One of the things I love most about this series is the Montford family bond, so dearly expressed in all three books. The love and support among all of them is truly heartwarming and entertaining as well. Their personalities really shine. I love these characters so much. Book four will feature Jane (Bennet) Montford. I simply cannot wait!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Contains scenes with adult content.

No fluff

Book gets right into the story. Progress is constant and the character development steady and interesting