In other words, chaste until marriage, which I think actually makes more sense for this time period. Lust itself isn’t wrong it’s what you do with it that counts, and often that means restraining it. Mark is well aware of the sexual double standard and, rather than deciding that women should be treated the same as men, he decides that men should be treated the same as women. Mainly this is because he turns the question of chastity back on the men, just as we still need to today. My heart broke again and again for Jessica, who truly has been unfairly treated by life and the people in her life.Īnd Mark’s stance on chastity may have been slightly anachronistic, but I adored it. I’m still hoping they didn’t notice, but that should give you an indication of how wonderful this book really was. I read the entire book on a train to London, and I can tell you it was more than a little embarrassing when tears came to my eyes as I was standing in a crowded coach with a bunch of businessmen. Securing his virginity will earn her the money she needs to get away from London and live quietly in the country for the rest of her life, even if she has to set aside her remaining morals to do it. Jessica Fairleigh is a courtesan who wants nothing more than to retire, and she sees seducing Mark as her way out. It doesn’t hurt that he’s stunning, of course. Sir Mark Turner is the nineteenth century’s version of a rock star he’s written a book about chastity that has spawned not only his own fan club but also has inspired legions of women to decide to take his virginity.

Unclaimed by courtney milan