The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy (Smythe-Smith #4) by Julia Quinn

Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can't be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family's infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She's the type of girl you don't notice until the second—or third—look, but there's something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she's the one.

Iris Smythe–Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can't quite believe it's all true. When his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can't help thinking that he's hiding something . . . even as her heart tells her to say yes.

Once again we are at that annual horrible Smythe-Smith musical.  And once again the music is just plain terrible.  In spite of that Sir Richard Kenworthy picks as his bride Iris Smythe-Smith.

I loved Iris.  She knows something if off with Sir Richard but just does not know what.  Even so she agrees to a rush wedding leaving immediately for Sir Richard’s home.  She wants a home of her own and is willing to work to get it.  However what is off with Sir Richard is more that Iris ever expected and may be more than she can live with.

Sir Richard is not that great a character.  He knows that what he is doing to Iris is not right but that does not stop him.  I never warmed to his character.  He is very controlling and completely misses what is really going on in his family. It takes Iris to realize the truth and find a solution.

There is a nice HEA after a very long and complicated journey.  This is a nice addition to the Smythe-Smith saga.  Even though it is part of a series it works well as a stand-alone. The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy is a nice introduction if you have never read anything by Julia Quinn and a nice addition established fans will love.

Avon published The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn in 2015.

I received an ARC of The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy from Edelweiss in return for an honest review.