[Historical Romance] Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most infamous scoundrel in London.  A marriage of convenience is the only solution.

No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower with the sinfully handsome viscount. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Evie is a woman of hidden strength—and Sebastian desires her more than any woman he's ever known.

The Wallflowers series. Book 3

Devil in Winter was and stays one of my most favorite books from Lisa Kleypas. I love her writing in general and none of her books that I've read came as a disappointment, it's just from the range of stories there will be one that hooks you the most. For me it's Devil in Winter. Maybe Lisa Kleypas herself or her readers were so engrossed into the story of Wallflowers and the family of Sebastian and Evie that the story slowly touched upon her own characters in another brilliant series of The Hathaways, not to mention direct involvement of St.Vincent descendants in the series of The Ravenels.

Evie's story starts with a nice twists that connected her story with the previous book (what can I say, I love simple logic), Sebastian was in dire straits and the best idea he came up with was to kidnap Lillian Bowman, as a wealthy heiress he needed. But the plan fell short, since he was chased by his friend Marcus, main character in It happaened one Autumn. Also, you may have a feeling that Evie's situation had foreshadowing, since she had something going on in the previous books, so it became apparent what it is when she openly talks about her severe situation in the Maybrick family. She lived in indifference and open abuse, which involved physical abuse, without a doubt the Maybrick family wanted to get her inheritance, but would not allow it to go outside, so she was promised to her husband. Maybe Evie would have chosen to compromise, but knowing that her cousine Eustance had no idea of leaving the family house she knew that her life would get no better. Knowing that Sebastian's situation is as desperate as hers, Evie had a mad idea and decided to offer a deal, a marriage of convenience. She gets his protection, he gets her money. Her only wish now is to be at the deathbed of her father, who was the only little light of love in her life and a person who truly cared for her from all her relations. She could not hide with Annabelle, Lillian was away on a honeymoon and her sister Daisy was too young and under protection of her parents, nothing like marriage could protect her safety from the Maybricks.

Knowing that he was trapped and could not deny the offer, Sebastian agrees. He's now surprised to find that miss Jenner has undeniably beautiful appearance, but because she had spent so much time slouching trying to become invisible her image in his imagination was always blurry and smudged. For her his beauty was almost sinful, golden hair and icy-blue eyes, lean figure and charm, Sebastian was well-aware of his own advantages. This pair started their journey to Gretna Green at a desperate speed without stopping for a night rest.

During which they start to become more aqcuainted with each other.

Sebastian found out that Evie, despite her stammering, has a really strong will and did not react to his rude remarks or rouge comments. They came to almost friendly and flirty banter.

Evie on the contrary was quite prejudiced at first. She knew what kind of man he was from the rumors and not to mention his kidnapping of Lillian. But despite the surface brilliance Sebastian and open selfishness he cared for her needs on the road. Even if his openness might have shocked any other innocent girl, Evie on the contrary felt comfortable with him.

At this point of course Sebastian did not care enough about Evie to start changing and Evie knew too well of his rake reputation to wait for him to be a good husband.

Things started to change from their first time together. He realized that after many years it was the first time the compitability was so high that he had wobbly legs (haha this description was really funny one :D). But instead of satisfaction and boredom that usually followed the act he realized he was ready to repeat it again and again. He was baffled that the most dangerous opponent on the bed he ever met was not some experienced courtesan, yet this innocent young woman who was too far from his standard lover. But things didn't go as he would liked to. Evie had her own principles, she didn't want to get hurt emotionally, so not to make their connection stronger she refused to go to bed with him again. It created a rift in the relationship of newlyweds before they reached the destination, The Jenner's gaming club.

The Jenner's history also makes it possible to refer to previous work of Lisa Kleypas. Derek Craven - a famous owner of his own gaming club, the club burned down (events from Dreaming of You) and no one heard about Craven since (he chose love baby). This allowed Jenner to take the place, but it never reached same heights, since Jenner was not cut for it entirely. jenner in comparison is a boxer and a brute and has no posession of the same charm. Now Ivo Jenner, Evie's father, was gravely ill and had only few days to live. When they reached the club suddenly Sebastian had a change of his decision to leave this place and Evie along with it, instead he took a new look at the club that he could call his. Although he justified it that simply selling the club is not enough and it required to deal with lose ends first. Funnily, when Evie asked him why he doesn't find a profession (work) to do, he refused, but when it came to the club, he basically lit like a bulb and had infinite energy.

With Ivo's passing the club was shut down for refurnishing and repairs, this is when the first conflict happened.

Joss Bullard, a character that will have recurring appearance later, betrayed Evie and pushed her into the arms of her awaiting uncles, right when Sebastian and others were away, she managed to call for Cam Rohan (main character in the Hathaway series btw). But thankfully Sebastian appeared in time. This was the last time we see the Maybricks, beaten bodies of both uncles were thrown into the carriage and sent away.

Stunningly, this was the moment when they made their bet. Since Sebastian was too preoccupied with club business and did not desire any other woman except Evie and Evie refused to become just one of them, to become his past fling when the novelty will be exhausted, she asked for a sacrifice, celibate for three months and she will go to bed with him as often as he wants. Otherwise he needs to apologize to Westcliff for his deeds. Sebastian accepted the bet.

But because of this incident Joss Bullard who betrayed Evie vanished before he knew that part of the inheritance Jenner left was meant for him.

The next period was spent in work and Evie stayed in the club. I skip the fight between workers and Sebastian to show that he can handle the club and deserves some respect as well as Annabelle's and Daisy's visit. But what definitely happened is that the relationship between the two grew stronger. Since Sebastian could not have anything else, he chose kissing as alternative. Yet Evie also took part in the club's dealings, since she had to deal with all kinds of people who repaired the club, which allowed her to become more confident.

When it came to the club's opening night Sebastian and Evie saw an unexpected guest, lord Marcus. He was sent by Lillian to see if Evie needed their help, but what he found is that both Evie and Sebastian had a certain attraction towards each other. Although Sebastian still liked to put up front and say things he doesn't mean. At such a moment Evie stoicly left to finally go to their home residence, but an unexpected event happened, Joss Bullard, who was always overfilled with hostility towards Evie, was found aiming at her, Sebastian's first instinct action was to shield her and he was the one who was shot. As Evie tried to joke this allowed her to stay by his sickbed.

Sebsastian's case was not good at first (and I also question why they did not come up with those things they did later :) ) and he was very ill and the wound was inflamed, he refused the doctor's suggestion "to release bad blood", that'd finish him off tbh. Instead  Westcliff and Cam jointly offered some known remedies. It was all of their joint operation that allowed to clean the wound and the situation finally changed. But honestly, thinking from the modern person 's perspective, because there are no cool tech stuff that we have today such a wound could become fatal, if not for their risk to wash it from impurities. This changed the direction and allowed Sebastian to survive. What of course mortified him is that Marcus and Lillian were taking part in it. So filled with shame and gratitude he expressed his apologies and thanks.

But the one he was most afraid of was Evie. He knew she stayed with him all the time and cared for all of his most intimate needs. She didn't let him go. During the time of his fever what Evie found out was his most secrets thoughts of a young boy who since long stayed alone, his mother and sisters left him one after another due to sickness or childbirth as he confessed, but she never knew how deeply he cared about it. The ones who truly loved him and spoiled him. Only his oblivious father was left with him.

Although he became an impossible patient later on Evie never got angry with him, because she knew that he doesn't know how to express himself.

Btw he lost the bet because of her, after all she didn't promise not to cheat.

What I like about it is that Evie did not come across as common lady, she lived against such cruel indifference and abusive behavior of her relatives, except her wallflower friends she had no others who cared for her. When it comes to men they often acted as if they would better be at the other end of the earth than in her presence, even some of Sebastian's reactions made her feel angry as if she doesn't deserve even a speck of love. Is she so unlovable? Only later she realized that some of her behavior could be incorrect and kept potential men away from her. Sebastian was the one who analyzed it for her. Only later she could slowly understand that Sebastian's reaction is more like a protection, he says everything against what he actually wants to say just to stay in his shell, while he long had been attracted to Evie. Everyone considered him selfish and not ready to sacrifice, but this is what he did, even with his life. Best quote must be from Lillian:

“He’s known St. Vincent from childhood, and can read him fairly well. And Westcliff sees an odd sort of logic in why you would finally be the one to win St. Vincent’s heart. He says a girl like you would appeal to…hmm, how did he put it?…I can’t remember the exact words, but it was something like…you would appeal to St. Vincent’s deepest, most secret fantasy.”

Evie felt her cheeks flushing while a skirmish of pain and hope took place in the tired confines of her chest. She tried to respond sardonically. “I should think his fantasy is to consort with as many women as possible.”

A grin crossed Lillian’s lips. “Dear, that is not St. Vincent’s fantasy, it’s his reality. And you’re probably the first sweet, decent girl he’s ever had anything to do with.”

Knowing that he loved her for what she is, she was loving him back with same strength.

To conclude the story we return to the story of Joss Bullard and why he hated Evie so much. Although it is unknown, the mother of Joss insisted that he was Ivo's son, so he is half-brother to Evie. Joss always was unskillful when it came to talking and he had a jealous character. With the contraction of pox he became mad and the hatered intensified, he thought that without Evie he would inherit everything from Jenner, but it wasn't the case. He just wanted to get rid of her.

The dropped gun led them to the home of the former manager, Egan, he had those pistols because their owner used them as debt repayment. Joss stole one of them from Egan. The story should have ended when they found news of Joss' death in the hospital, but found him once again infiltrating the club wanting to finish what he started - kill Evie. This time taking the chance of distraction Cam took it upon himself to shoot Bullard.

Having to come so close to the edge once again this time Sebastian after the final struggle did not conceal his feelings, the power of his love that left him so afraif for her. He was ready to love madly, to love openly, to be happy.

Although they're so different, but they have something similar too, otherwise Evie would not get such a mad idea in the beginning, she enjoyed the thought of the Maybricks not being able to reach her again and it destroyed their plans to get her inheritance, she also enjoyed being able to corner the most infamous rake in all London. She slowly opened up and went through changes of her initial shyness. Her relationship helped, working with other people helped. It's interesting to see how they brought changes into each other's lives. And although they changed, but they still have some of their initial core. Sebsastian may still act and talk rouge and Evie does not change her initial state and ability to be on par with him despite her deep love.

I've re-read this book many times and somehow it's always a delight. I always feel like there is a brilliant ballance in such relationship.

To be honest they are so lovely. I was very happy when I first found out about the Ravenels series and that it had some of the reference to Evie and Sebastian, although mainly the books have their kids as mains. But it's also a happy thing that in general Lisa continues to explore her own universe in which her characters exist.