On Votaries, I am discussing characters. I've reached "K" authors. From romance novelist Kleypas...
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In Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas, the hero agrees to marry the heroine for money. He then, of course, discovers that she is beautiful and charming and witty and great in bed (not necessarily in that order) although his distress--cash shortage and unhappiness/boredom--is still a factor.
However, part of his new wife's
dowry is her father's club, which has fallen on hard times. To protect his assets, Sebastian becomes
directly involved in running the club and subsequently discovers he has a
knack for business. 150+ years later, the guy would get an MBA and buy
up a bunch of resorts: same principle.
I find the subsequent relationship satisfyingly believable on a psychological level.
Running a club is a bit low-class, but the guy has nothing to lose and
everything to gain by taking charge. His reaction to the challenge is also believable:
his lovely wife doesn't inspire him to take an interest; he takes an
interest because he (initially) wants to sell the club at a good price.
The impulse comes from him, not her endearing example.
In other words, he works to find a purpose for himself in life; he doesn't wait around for his wife to nudge him into finding a purpose.
And the spousal relationship moves back onto voluntary grounds and how Sebastian and Evangeline relate to each other. A redeemed rake who honestly falls in love, Sebastian is smart and self-aware enough to know that this time he had better make this relationship work. Evangeline is soft-spoken and gentle with a spine of steel. She has a sense of her own worth, to which Sebastian responds.
Believable relationship--one of the more satisfying romance couples.
