When You Wish by Alexandra Ivy is a book of 3 stories. They are the stories of three sisters, each affected differently by the fact that their mother died when they were young, and that their father is the notorious jewel thief, 'The Devilish Dandy'. Life for the women has never been settled, but when their father was finally caught, the scandal surrounding that has ruined their chances of ever finding a decent love match. At the time though, that was the least of their worries because they were more upset that their father was facing the noose. Luckily he managed to escape at the last minute, and under one disguise or another he finds a way to be involved in the matchmaking of his daughters before he flees to India where he will be safe.
Sarah is the eldest of the sisters, and has brought up the younger ones. She has resigned herself to the fact that she will remain a spinster because she knows no man will want to marry the daughter of 'The Devilish Dandy'. That is until Lord Chance comes into her life. He requires her services to help find some stolen family jewels. Who better to find them than somebody brought up around theft who knows all the tricks of the trade. During their time together they find themselves hopelessly attracted to each other. But Chance knows that he can't marry a woman with any kind of scandal attached to her. Emma knows she'll never be good enough for him, even forgetting the scandal. Will they realise that they are both ridiculously wrong?
Emma is the middle sister. She has been the most hurt by the scandal her father has brought upon the family. She is not only hurt. She is angry. She wants nothing to do with him, and wants no hand outs in any way from him. She is determined to work for a living. At first she is a governess to a family that treat her like dirt, but she puts up with it because she needs the live in job and wages. She gives up that job and takes on the job as a live in companion. The woman in question she is to be a companion to is quite eccentric, as is her family, but they are all lovable and despite the fact that this isn't the calm life she had endeavoured from her change of occupation, she soon settles in there. It helps a little that the nephew of the woman she is companion too is a real charmer. He makes her feel alive, and cherished. He doesn't think she will be happy with his family as she seems so keen on having a squeaky clean reputation, and she doesn't believe he will want a bar of her when he finds out about her father. I think it might be up to 'The Devilish Dandy' to get the wheels turning for them.
Rachel is the youngest sister, and she is the one most like her father. She covers up any hurt of the scandal by thriving on being an independent woman who likes to shock. She has all the men lusting after her and they all believe her to be an experienced woman. She in fact, isn't. It's all an act, but she is happy enough watching the sops make fools of themselves. At one particular ball she comes across a handsome man who is the first one ever not to fall over himself to get her attention. He is attracted to her, but he's not going to be one of the many men to beg for her favours. They end up at a house party together, a two week event and during that time they spend a lot of time together. Rachel wants him, but knows who she is will shock him, and she also doesn't want to give up her independence. Mr Clarke, our hero, sees right through her act, can see what a perfect woman she is, but has no idea if he can break through her barriers.
What I loved about these stories is how all the girls have been so affected by who their father is, but in very different ways. I love too that he makes sure he does his best, in disguise to everyone but his daughters, to make sure that they find love and are settled before he can flee the country to safety. Is his best good enough, and what of himself, can he perhaps find a love match for himself. I mean, who wants him to be lonely when he's in India??
I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.