It’s In His Kiss, Julia Quinn (Avon, 2005)

Gareth St. Clair is part Charmer, part Lost Soul.  He’s one of the many heroes created by Julia Quinn in her Bridgerton series.  Read on to learn more about Gareth. 

STATS:  

“He was tall, although not overly so, with an athlete’s grace and strength and a face that was just imperfect enough to be handsome, rather than pretty.

And his eyes were blue.  Really blue.  Uncomfortably blue.”

THE LOOK:

Gareth wears his dark hair in a queue at the back of his neck, an especially rakish look for, well, a rake.

“He’d always reminded her of a lion, fierce and predatory, filled with restless energy.  is hair, too, was tawny, hovering in that curious state between light brown and dark blond, and he wore it rakishly, defying convention by keeping it just long enough to tie in a short queue at the back of his neck.”

LEADING LADY:

Hyacinth Bridgerton doesn’t fit the typical ton stereotype for a fair maiden.  She’s smart, opinionated, witty, and sarcastic.  And she doesn’t try to hide any of these traits.  While she isn’t the right woman–and wouldn’t make a good wife–for most men, she happens to be perfect for Gareth.  He enjoys himself when he’s with her, especially those characteristics that have kept other men away from her.  Hyacinth isn’t a wallflower; she’s closer to a rose, complete with thorns.  

“And he realized that she had–and she was–wo many things he’d always wanted.

She knew her place in this world.  She knew where she belonged.

She knew who she belonged with…

…He could count the number of times he’d kissed her on one hand, and yet he still knew, still understood, that this was the essence of her.  She was unique in his arms, beneath his kiss, and he knew that no one else would ever do again.”

It’s All About the Tension. Oh, and It’s in his Kiss:

Hyacinth, despite her obstinate nature, is still an inexperienced young woman.  Even in the midst of passion, she has difficulty admitting her inexperience, however.  

“It was perfect, and he could feel her reaction through her dress.

He wanted to take her into his mouth, to peel the dress from her body and do a hundred wicked things to her.

He felt the resistance slip from her body, heard her sigh against his mouth.  She’d never been kissed before; he was quite certain of that.  But she was eager, and she was aroused.  He could feel it in the way her body pressed against his, the way her fingers clutched desperately at his shoulders.

‘Kiss me back,’ he murmured, nibbling at her lips.

‘I am,’ came her muffled reply.

He drew back, just an inch.  ‘You need a lesson or two,’ he said with a smile.  ‘But don’t worry, we’ll get you good at this.’

He leaned in to kiss her once more–dear God, he was enjoying this–but she wriggled away.

‘Hyacinth,’ he said huskily, catching her hand in his.  He tugged, intending to pull her back against him, but she yanked her hand free.  

Gareth raised his brows, waiting for her to say something.

This was Hyacinth, after all.  Surely she’d say something.”

BOTTOM LINE:

Gareth St. Clair is a man worth getting to know.  He’s got a lot of baggage, what with his mother’s infidelity and how that affected his upbringing.  It continues to affect him well into adulthood, although he doesn’t realize it until it is so blatantly pointed out to him by the man he’s cursed to call father.   When Gareth thinks of marrying Hyacinth, he sees the two of them, as well as all of Hyacinth’s family.  It’s a welcoming picture and fills him with pleasure.  

Adding to his pleasure is the fact that marrying Hyacinth Bridgerton will completely show up the Baron, his father.    “It would kill him.  Absolutely kill him.”

All the emotional browbeating Gareth received growing up makes him vulnerable and allows the reader to understand him.  His lack of understanding about his own motivations nearly drive Hyacinth from him a time or two, but in the end, they completely understand and compliment each other.  

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Are you a fan of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series?  Which is your favorite book, and why?