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Brides of Virtue #1
The Wife Test
Posing as a nun, Chloe of Guibray leaves the convent in which she was raised and journeys to England to discover her true heritage with four maidens who have been chosen as brides for King Edward's nobles - an adventure that leads her into the arms of Sir Hugh of Sennet, a maddening knight who lays seige to her heart. Original.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
About the author
Betina Krahn
60 books312 followersKrahn, born Betina Maynard, is the second daughter of Dors Maynard and Regina Triplett. Krahn learned to read at the age of four, and began making up her own stories when she was only six. In fifth grade she won a silver "Noble Order of Bookworms" pin for her achievements in reading, and the following year she began writing down her stories.
Krane was graduated from high school in Newark, Ohio and received a B.S. in Education (Biological Sciences) at Ohio State University. After college, Krahn taught science in Newark, and studied for a graduate degree at Ohio State in the summers. It was during those summers that she met her future husband, physics graduate student Donald Krahn.
The family moved to Oklahoma, where Krahn finished the work for her Masters of Education in Counseling in 1973. In 1974, she gave birth to her first child, Nathan, with the second son Zebulun arriving in 1978. With two young children, Krahn became a stay-at-home mother for a time, also finding time to volunteer on a community board working to get funding for mental health care in part of Western Oklahoma. Once the funding was secured, Krahn worked as an HR director for a mental health center.
Krane was graduated from high school in Newark, Ohio and received a B.S. in Education (Biological Sciences) at Ohio State University. After college, Krahn taught science in Newark, and studied for a graduate degree at Ohio State in the summers. It was during those summers that she met her future husband, physics graduate student Donald Krahn.
The family moved to Oklahoma, where Krahn finished the work for her Masters of Education in Counseling in 1973. In 1974, she gave birth to her first child, Nathan, with the second son Zebulun arriving in 1978. With two young children, Krahn became a stay-at-home mother for a time, also finding time to volunteer on a community board working to get funding for mental health care in part of Western Oklahoma. Once the funding was secured, Krahn worked as an HR director for a mental health center.
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March 4, 2025Current 2024 rating: No rating, DNF at 15%
Original 2009 rating: 5-stars and a keeper.
I originally read this story over 15 yrs ago, before I was using GR and writing reviews. I picked this story to reread with the purpose of being able to officially write a review of my thoughts and also see if it needs to stay on my Keeper shelf.
I have absolutely no memory of this story, so I’m completely ok and not saddened with pulling the plug and DNFing it.
It initially started out ok, with the hero being a knight in charge of a group of randy soldiers that needed to escort 4 future maiden/brides-to-be from a convent to the British king (to make advantageous marriages for the kingdom).
Conversations were silly and unrealistic, the hero was a short-tempered, overly dramatic shouting jerk for no apparent reason (so it came across as personal attacks to the heroine and others), the heroine was a bold, bossy busybody that constantly acted tstl’ly before thinking, the evil guys and their intrigue started early on… the more I pushed myself to read further, the more I started to question myself how this was ever a favorite of mine to begin with. I no longer found it cute and disliked each character.
This isn’t for me, but if you enjoy the old school medieval romance with a hero dead set against women and marriage (I think he wanted to return to the monastery) then you might like this.
Original 2009 rating: 5-stars and a keeper.
I originally read this story over 15 yrs ago, before I was using GR and writing reviews. I picked this story to reread with the purpose of being able to officially write a review of my thoughts and also see if it needs to stay on my Keeper shelf.
I have absolutely no memory of this story, so I’m completely ok and not saddened with pulling the plug and DNFing it.
It initially started out ok, with the hero being a knight in charge of a group of randy soldiers that needed to escort 4 future maiden/brides-to-be from a convent to the British king (to make advantageous marriages for the kingdom).
Conversations were silly and unrealistic, the hero was a short-tempered, overly dramatic shouting jerk for no apparent reason (so it came across as personal attacks to the heroine and others), the heroine was a bold, bossy busybody that constantly acted tstl’ly before thinking, the evil guys and their intrigue started early on… the more I pushed myself to read further, the more I started to question myself how this was ever a favorite of mine to begin with. I no longer found it cute and disliked each character.
This isn’t for me, but if you enjoy the old school medieval romance with a hero dead set against women and marriage (I think he wanted to return to the monastery) then you might like this.
April 5, 2021
The dude was way too much of a pompous ass for me to enjoy this as a romance. But everything else worked really well and it is a great tale of royalty and intrigue.
It's actually a reread for me. I believe I loved it years back, the first time around. But this time I saw too many flaws in Hugh and how messed up he made their relationship with his projected self hatred and didactic ways.
Overall it was an interesting though unlikely set up, attention holding plot, entertaining with some funny scenes included. Wonderful female to female interactions and displays of support. Very much worth reading.
Just don't expect an epic romance for the ages. It was nice to go back to that time setting for a change. It's not as popular as it used to be but the author conveys the period well.
It's actually a reread for me. I believe I loved it years back, the first time around. But this time I saw too many flaws in Hugh and how messed up he made their relationship with his projected self hatred and didactic ways.
Overall it was an interesting though unlikely set up, attention holding plot, entertaining with some funny scenes included. Wonderful female to female interactions and displays of support. Very much worth reading.
Just don't expect an epic romance for the ages. It was nice to go back to that time setting for a change. It's not as popular as it used to be but the author conveys the period well.
September 9, 2021
Middle Ages France then England. Had 2 main romances.
Loved this creative story. Only avail on DTB.
France's Duke of Avalon legally adopted 4 Brides of Virtue
and sent them to England's King Edmund, instead of gold
thought owed the king. Chloe locked up their religious sister
escort & Chloe took her place as escort.
Sir Hugh grew up in a monastery & Chloe a convent. Neither
professed vows. Hugh acted self-righteous RE morals and
purity & had a low opinion of women. Hugh and his men
accompanied Chloe and her ladies to the king.
This troop of travelers encountered mishaps before & after
they arrived at Windsor. King Edmund approved the H+ h
creating and overseeing a "wife test." At the conclusion of
the test, 5 couples wed: 3 happy & the other 2: not so much.
This hero acted a hero & rescued Chloe (can't give details).
Hugh began to ? some of the teachings of the monks. The
story had romance, humor, adventure. Nothing compared
to a near monk finding the joys of true love and wonders of
love-making. And learning his 3 half sisters were 'born on
the wrong side of the blanket' through no fault of their own.
Forgiveness played a role also.
Loved this creative story. Only avail on DTB.
France's Duke of Avalon legally adopted 4 Brides of Virtue
and sent them to England's King Edmund, instead of gold
thought owed the king. Chloe locked up their religious sister
escort & Chloe took her place as escort.
Sir Hugh grew up in a monastery & Chloe a convent. Neither
professed vows. Hugh acted self-righteous RE morals and
purity & had a low opinion of women. Hugh and his men
accompanied Chloe and her ladies to the king.
This troop of travelers encountered mishaps before & after
they arrived at Windsor. King Edmund approved the H+ h
creating and overseeing a "wife test." At the conclusion of
the test, 5 couples wed: 3 happy & the other 2: not so much.
This hero acted a hero & rescued Chloe (can't give details).
Hugh began to ? some of the teachings of the monks. The
story had romance, humor, adventure. Nothing compared
to a near monk finding the joys of true love and wonders of
love-making. And learning his 3 half sisters were 'born on
the wrong side of the blanket' through no fault of their own.
Forgiveness played a role also.
October 24, 2017
3.5 stars
This entire series have a formula they follow, which made them not a fairly enjoyable read except for the hero's sudden tendencies to become tedious in the last half.
This entire series have a formula they follow, which made them not a fairly enjoyable read except for the hero's sudden tendencies to become tedious in the last half.
Read
April 29, 2018England had won the war and King Edward was demanding ransom from the Duke of Avalon. The duke promised his daughters in payment with Edward promising the French women would be married to English nobles. His daughters were orphan maids living at Convent of the Brides of Virtue which he supported.
Chloe of Guibray was listening behind the door as the Reverend Mother and her assistant discussed which women would go. They decided on Lady Helen of Ghent, Lady Aliana of Cluny, Lisette de Mornay, and Margarete of Cologne. Sister Archibald suggest that Chloe be one of the women but the Reverend Mother told her that she wanted Chloe to stay and keep the books of the convent. Chloe also overheard that a note left with her stated that her name was Gilbert and Chloe felt like she might be English. She was determined to go to London with the women. Archibald was to travel with them but Chloe locked her in the cellar of the convent and went in her place. Archie wasn't terribly upset about the circumstances and didn't put up a fight. She wanted Chloe to be allowed to go and be married with the others.
Sir Hugh of Sennet was leader of the group of men sent to escort the women. They first dressed the women in habits to hide their identity. The women were attacked when they stopped near a forest of trees to relieve themselves. Someone was trying to make sure the women weren't eligible to be married to the English nobles. Hugh was doing his best to keep from being attracted to Chloe who had quickly established herself as spokesperson for the women.
Once Hugh realized that someone was after the women, he had the women exchange their habits for mens clothing. The men were kidnapped and they killed the men who took them. The man they were working from literally found them with their pants down as they were killed when they were attempting to rape what they thought were the women. The man who hired them didn't give up though. His desire to see them not wed to the Englishmen was just delayed.
The group made their way to the coast and had to wait for the ship to arrive. They were getting ready to board when Hugh noticed that Chloe was missing. He wen to find her and caught her bathing. He was embarrassed when Chloe confronted him and made a comment about him enjoying the sight. He continued to deny it but had a hard time getting what he saw out of his mind.
Chloe had found out that Hugh had been raised in a monastery and hadn't much experience with women. He had determined that he would remain there when he was given to the king as a guard to protect him. He wasn't supposed to inherit anything from his father because he was one of the younger sons but his father had died and so had most of his brothers. The king had other plans for Hugh. He wanted Hugh to marry and take over his fathers lands.
The women arrived in London but didn't stay there. They continued on to Windsor castle and met King Edward. They were introduced to the potential husbands, William, Baron of Chester, Sir Jaxton, heir to Auden-Day, Simon of Cornwall, newly Earl of Candle, Sir Graham, heir to Ledding and Horrace, Earl of Ketchum. Sir Graham was one of the men who brought the women to England from France and Lisette had her eyes on him.
Chloe addressed the king and told him that she would see to it that the couples were well matched using 'the wife test'. She said it was a secret but asked for a week to put the women through a series of tests to make sure they were matched with the right man. The king assigned Hugh to watch over the administration of the 'test' to make sure he agreed with Chloe's decision. Chloe was making up the test as time went along.
The first test she decided was to pair up the women and men to teach the women to ride a horse. They would change partners each day. Ketchum hadn't shown up yet so Hugh had to help Chloe but didn't do much and Chloe was left to learn pretty much on her own. The second test was to be a cooking test. Hugh cornered Chloe to he was questioned about the test and he didn't know anything about it. He surprised her by kissing her after asking her who she wanted to be partnered with. She knew after the kiss that it was he she wanted. The king had noticed their reaction to each other and was pleased. He wanted Hugh and Chloe together. The two of them just didn't know it.
Hugh arranged for the cooking test to be done outdoors. The cooks were to prepare each of the women's favorite meals and see which of the men chose their foods. They headed to the location to find crowds of people there to watch. They was a reaction when dogs showed up and caused a disturbance. The dogs belonged to Ketchum who finally arrived. It was obvious that his dogs meant more to him than the women. He was an older man who was slightly unkept in appearance. He dogs found a wild pig and gave chase. All the tables and food were soon overturned and they were left with a mess.
Hugh overheard Ketchum telling the king that the boar had been brought in a cage. There had been another accident where Lisette fell off her horse that morning. Hugh spoke with Graham who agreed that it seemed more than a coincidence for the accidents. They decided to tell the other two nobles to keep a watchful eye on their potential wives.
The women had their favorite dishes prepared again that night at the request of the king and they all tried the foods and the women and men were paired up again for dancing with the person whose food they liked best. A child brought them a pot of food and Margarete thought it was disgusting so they didn't eat it and left it sitting by the window.
The next test was of of gifts. The men were to bring gifts to the women that had some clue as to their homes. The gifts were salted fish, pieces of wood, and Ketchum brought a puppy. All the women chose the puppy. They couldn't go horseback riding due to the cinches being cut so they tried falconing. That didn't go well. They went back to their rooms and found that the pet dog of the woman who was watching over them had been poisoned by the food left in their room. The king declared the weddings would be the next day in an attempt to prevent any further attacks on the women.
Helen was matched with Lord Simon, Aliana to Sir Jaxton, Margarete with Lord William, Lisette with Sir Graham, and that left Chloe with old Lord Ketchum. Hugh was not happy about that and told Lord Ketchum that Chloe could read and would not allow his drinking, gambling and hunting to continue. Ketchum told the king he was sick and had to withdraw from being considered a husband. The king decided to pair Chloe with Hugh instead.
The duke of Avalon was invited to the wedding and was introduced to 'his' daughters that were his ransom to be released. He was pleased until he met Chloe. He asked how she came to the convent and seemed angry for some reason and spent a lot of time staring at her.
They were married and when Chloe and Hugh were sent to their bedchambers, Chloe suggested that they remain as brother and sister until a later time when their marriage could be annulled so that Hugh could return to the monastery. He had told her that he had married her as a rescue attempt but would admit to himself that he cared about her. This suggestion led to him admitting that he wanted her. He didn't want to live a life separate from her.
The women left the puppy given to them with the woman whose puppy was poisoned. They all left Windsor for their new homes. The pairings seemed to have been well set. Only Lisette seemed unhappy. Chloe's trip to Hugh's home took 3 days and Hugh was angry that his father accompanied them.
Meanwhile, a ship arrived in London carrying a French count that was not happy that the marriages had taken place with none of the women being raped or killed. He decided he needed to poison the relationship between the duke and the King Edward. He went to the king and explained to Edward that the women were not the duke's daughters and how they orphans sent from a convent. The king ordered the duke returned to him at Windsor and the women were to be arrested and returned to Windsor too.
Hugh hadn't slept with Chloe since their wedding night and she decided to do something after 6 days had passed. She learned that Hugh was angry at his father for his having slept with other women after his wife's death. The proof was visible when they arrived at his home and were met by three daughters that were his illegitimate sisters from different women. She tempted Hugh into sleeping with her again. Hugh knew that he was in love with Chloe but he had abandoned his religious obligations by loving her. He woke up early and returned to the monastery. Chloe cried and blamed herself for pushing him too hard in admitting he cared for her. She was still upset when the kings guards came to arrest her and take her back to the castle.
The women were all asked to prove their lineage to the king for their marriages to stand. They all knew their lineage accept Chloe. Chloe was asked and she told them that she didn't know hers and the Duke stepped forward claiming that she was his daughter by his first marriage to an English bride. They had a child who he was told had died in childbirth. Her name was Clarice from Gilbert. The woman caring for the women was brought forward to identify the duke whom she recognized as having married her cousin. The duke asked that his brother be found as a witness to his telling the truth about Chloe.
Hugh had arrived to hear the story and his own father punched him in the face for running out on Chloe. Hugh had gone back to the monastery and was surprised to find the leader more concerned that Hugh was no longer serving the king and about the donations that had been sent to them as a result of Hugh service to Edward. He then listened to some of the things being said about how bad women were. He went to read the scriptures himself and found that they had been twisted as Chloe had mentioned. The scriptures quoted as being all women were referred to as whores in actuality. Hugh had returned home to find Chloe gone and had followed her back to Windsor.
Chloe snuck out of her chambers with the help of Lisette. She went to see the duke in prison to talk with him about what he had told the king. The duke told her it was all true. The duke figured out that it was his own brother who had lied to him and probably had caused all the trouble they were now in. His brother and other Frenchmen arrived and took both Chloe and the duke from the prison. It was their intent to kill them so the duke's brother could take over the possessions of the duke for himself. His helpful brother, Alfonse, now the Compte de Sabban.
Hugh, his father and other members of the party who had brought the women from France set out on horseback to find the duke and Chloe. They caught up to them as they were being put on board a ship bound for France. Hugh managed to climb on board and was silently killing some of the sailors while the duke and his brother were yelling at each other. One of the men took Chloe to the side of the boat to throw her overboard while she was still tied up when Hugh let his presence become known. Hugh fought and killed the man who held Chloe but the Count threw her overboard. Hugh quickly cut the ropes holding the duke and dove in after Chloe. He somehow found her in the dark water and drug her to shore. They were picked up by Hugh's father and the other men with them. The other husbands were a part of the search party and they went to stop the ship.
The duke and his brother were returned to Windsor where the story came out of what the Compte de Sabban was attempting to do in destroying the duke for his own gain. Hugh and the duke's injuries were treated. Hugh told Chloe he loved her and that he would not be leaving her again. The king declared their marriage would also stand as the others.
Lisette's marriage had not been working out but with everything that happened, her and Graham were now together. Chloe told Lisette to be herself and not who she thought Graham wanted. She set out to gain his attention again and accomplished her goal.
Lisette and Graham came to visit a year later. Hugh's sisters were drawn to something they saw and it was a few young men that were traveling with them. Chloe decided to have dancing after dinner. She was dancing with Lisette when she found herself standing in a puddle of water. Their son was born later that evening.
Chloe mentioned to Hugh that it might be time to work on finding suitable husbands for his sisters.
Chloe of Guibray was listening behind the door as the Reverend Mother and her assistant discussed which women would go. They decided on Lady Helen of Ghent, Lady Aliana of Cluny, Lisette de Mornay, and Margarete of Cologne. Sister Archibald suggest that Chloe be one of the women but the Reverend Mother told her that she wanted Chloe to stay and keep the books of the convent. Chloe also overheard that a note left with her stated that her name was Gilbert and Chloe felt like she might be English. She was determined to go to London with the women. Archibald was to travel with them but Chloe locked her in the cellar of the convent and went in her place. Archie wasn't terribly upset about the circumstances and didn't put up a fight. She wanted Chloe to be allowed to go and be married with the others.
Sir Hugh of Sennet was leader of the group of men sent to escort the women. They first dressed the women in habits to hide their identity. The women were attacked when they stopped near a forest of trees to relieve themselves. Someone was trying to make sure the women weren't eligible to be married to the English nobles. Hugh was doing his best to keep from being attracted to Chloe who had quickly established herself as spokesperson for the women.
Once Hugh realized that someone was after the women, he had the women exchange their habits for mens clothing. The men were kidnapped and they killed the men who took them. The man they were working from literally found them with their pants down as they were killed when they were attempting to rape what they thought were the women. The man who hired them didn't give up though. His desire to see them not wed to the Englishmen was just delayed.
The group made their way to the coast and had to wait for the ship to arrive. They were getting ready to board when Hugh noticed that Chloe was missing. He wen to find her and caught her bathing. He was embarrassed when Chloe confronted him and made a comment about him enjoying the sight. He continued to deny it but had a hard time getting what he saw out of his mind.
Chloe had found out that Hugh had been raised in a monastery and hadn't much experience with women. He had determined that he would remain there when he was given to the king as a guard to protect him. He wasn't supposed to inherit anything from his father because he was one of the younger sons but his father had died and so had most of his brothers. The king had other plans for Hugh. He wanted Hugh to marry and take over his fathers lands.
The women arrived in London but didn't stay there. They continued on to Windsor castle and met King Edward. They were introduced to the potential husbands, William, Baron of Chester, Sir Jaxton, heir to Auden-Day, Simon of Cornwall, newly Earl of Candle, Sir Graham, heir to Ledding and Horrace, Earl of Ketchum. Sir Graham was one of the men who brought the women to England from France and Lisette had her eyes on him.
Chloe addressed the king and told him that she would see to it that the couples were well matched using 'the wife test'. She said it was a secret but asked for a week to put the women through a series of tests to make sure they were matched with the right man. The king assigned Hugh to watch over the administration of the 'test' to make sure he agreed with Chloe's decision. Chloe was making up the test as time went along.
The first test she decided was to pair up the women and men to teach the women to ride a horse. They would change partners each day. Ketchum hadn't shown up yet so Hugh had to help Chloe but didn't do much and Chloe was left to learn pretty much on her own. The second test was to be a cooking test. Hugh cornered Chloe to he was questioned about the test and he didn't know anything about it. He surprised her by kissing her after asking her who she wanted to be partnered with. She knew after the kiss that it was he she wanted. The king had noticed their reaction to each other and was pleased. He wanted Hugh and Chloe together. The two of them just didn't know it.
Hugh arranged for the cooking test to be done outdoors. The cooks were to prepare each of the women's favorite meals and see which of the men chose their foods. They headed to the location to find crowds of people there to watch. They was a reaction when dogs showed up and caused a disturbance. The dogs belonged to Ketchum who finally arrived. It was obvious that his dogs meant more to him than the women. He was an older man who was slightly unkept in appearance. He dogs found a wild pig and gave chase. All the tables and food were soon overturned and they were left with a mess.
Hugh overheard Ketchum telling the king that the boar had been brought in a cage. There had been another accident where Lisette fell off her horse that morning. Hugh spoke with Graham who agreed that it seemed more than a coincidence for the accidents. They decided to tell the other two nobles to keep a watchful eye on their potential wives.
The women had their favorite dishes prepared again that night at the request of the king and they all tried the foods and the women and men were paired up again for dancing with the person whose food they liked best. A child brought them a pot of food and Margarete thought it was disgusting so they didn't eat it and left it sitting by the window.
The next test was of of gifts. The men were to bring gifts to the women that had some clue as to their homes. The gifts were salted fish, pieces of wood, and Ketchum brought a puppy. All the women chose the puppy. They couldn't go horseback riding due to the cinches being cut so they tried falconing. That didn't go well. They went back to their rooms and found that the pet dog of the woman who was watching over them had been poisoned by the food left in their room. The king declared the weddings would be the next day in an attempt to prevent any further attacks on the women.
Helen was matched with Lord Simon, Aliana to Sir Jaxton, Margarete with Lord William, Lisette with Sir Graham, and that left Chloe with old Lord Ketchum. Hugh was not happy about that and told Lord Ketchum that Chloe could read and would not allow his drinking, gambling and hunting to continue. Ketchum told the king he was sick and had to withdraw from being considered a husband. The king decided to pair Chloe with Hugh instead.
The duke of Avalon was invited to the wedding and was introduced to 'his' daughters that were his ransom to be released. He was pleased until he met Chloe. He asked how she came to the convent and seemed angry for some reason and spent a lot of time staring at her.
They were married and when Chloe and Hugh were sent to their bedchambers, Chloe suggested that they remain as brother and sister until a later time when their marriage could be annulled so that Hugh could return to the monastery. He had told her that he had married her as a rescue attempt but would admit to himself that he cared about her. This suggestion led to him admitting that he wanted her. He didn't want to live a life separate from her.
The women left the puppy given to them with the woman whose puppy was poisoned. They all left Windsor for their new homes. The pairings seemed to have been well set. Only Lisette seemed unhappy. Chloe's trip to Hugh's home took 3 days and Hugh was angry that his father accompanied them.
Meanwhile, a ship arrived in London carrying a French count that was not happy that the marriages had taken place with none of the women being raped or killed. He decided he needed to poison the relationship between the duke and the King Edward. He went to the king and explained to Edward that the women were not the duke's daughters and how they orphans sent from a convent. The king ordered the duke returned to him at Windsor and the women were to be arrested and returned to Windsor too.
Hugh hadn't slept with Chloe since their wedding night and she decided to do something after 6 days had passed. She learned that Hugh was angry at his father for his having slept with other women after his wife's death. The proof was visible when they arrived at his home and were met by three daughters that were his illegitimate sisters from different women. She tempted Hugh into sleeping with her again. Hugh knew that he was in love with Chloe but he had abandoned his religious obligations by loving her. He woke up early and returned to the monastery. Chloe cried and blamed herself for pushing him too hard in admitting he cared for her. She was still upset when the kings guards came to arrest her and take her back to the castle.
The women were all asked to prove their lineage to the king for their marriages to stand. They all knew their lineage accept Chloe. Chloe was asked and she told them that she didn't know hers and the Duke stepped forward claiming that she was his daughter by his first marriage to an English bride. They had a child who he was told had died in childbirth. Her name was Clarice from Gilbert. The woman caring for the women was brought forward to identify the duke whom she recognized as having married her cousin. The duke asked that his brother be found as a witness to his telling the truth about Chloe.
Hugh had arrived to hear the story and his own father punched him in the face for running out on Chloe. Hugh had gone back to the monastery and was surprised to find the leader more concerned that Hugh was no longer serving the king and about the donations that had been sent to them as a result of Hugh service to Edward. He then listened to some of the things being said about how bad women were. He went to read the scriptures himself and found that they had been twisted as Chloe had mentioned. The scriptures quoted as being all women were referred to as whores in actuality. Hugh had returned home to find Chloe gone and had followed her back to Windsor.
Chloe snuck out of her chambers with the help of Lisette. She went to see the duke in prison to talk with him about what he had told the king. The duke told her it was all true. The duke figured out that it was his own brother who had lied to him and probably had caused all the trouble they were now in. His brother and other Frenchmen arrived and took both Chloe and the duke from the prison. It was their intent to kill them so the duke's brother could take over the possessions of the duke for himself. His helpful brother, Alfonse, now the Compte de Sabban.
Hugh, his father and other members of the party who had brought the women from France set out on horseback to find the duke and Chloe. They caught up to them as they were being put on board a ship bound for France. Hugh managed to climb on board and was silently killing some of the sailors while the duke and his brother were yelling at each other. One of the men took Chloe to the side of the boat to throw her overboard while she was still tied up when Hugh let his presence become known. Hugh fought and killed the man who held Chloe but the Count threw her overboard. Hugh quickly cut the ropes holding the duke and dove in after Chloe. He somehow found her in the dark water and drug her to shore. They were picked up by Hugh's father and the other men with them. The other husbands were a part of the search party and they went to stop the ship.
The duke and his brother were returned to Windsor where the story came out of what the Compte de Sabban was attempting to do in destroying the duke for his own gain. Hugh and the duke's injuries were treated. Hugh told Chloe he loved her and that he would not be leaving her again. The king declared their marriage would also stand as the others.
Lisette's marriage had not been working out but with everything that happened, her and Graham were now together. Chloe told Lisette to be herself and not who she thought Graham wanted. She set out to gain his attention again and accomplished her goal.
Lisette and Graham came to visit a year later. Hugh's sisters were drawn to something they saw and it was a few young men that were traveling with them. Chloe decided to have dancing after dinner. She was dancing with Lisette when she found herself standing in a puddle of water. Their son was born later that evening.
Chloe mentioned to Hugh that it might be time to work on finding suitable husbands for his sisters.
August 20, 2024
DNF … 18% … the whole premise seemed silly and stupid. I didn’t care to read on and find out what happens. The way the characters spoke, the way the “love interests” interacted … none of it caught my attention. It was bland and boring.
October 5, 2012
When four Brides of Virtue are sent forth from a monastery to make marriages for themselves, Chloe sneaks away with them, partly because she wants a husband of her own, and partly in hopes of finding her true father. Sir Hugh, sent to escort them from France to England, wants to take monastic vows and live a life of purity and celibacy, but Chloe tempts him. Well, and his older two brothers have both died so it's not only she who has changed his circumstances.
This book takes a religious extremist who has taken the unnatural view that sex is inherently wrong and sets him up for failure by tempting him with the an impure female, who of course have been set upon this earth for that very reason.
I didn't realize it when I picked up the book in the first place, but I think I have moved to a place in my life where this setup is no longer compelling to me. I'm just no longer into characters who are repressed by religion discovering their sexuality. I do see the need for and the value of such stories, and if you're into it, then you may very well enjoy this book. The characters were not overly complex but well-suited to their roles. Chloe was selfless and likable.
This book takes a religious extremist who has taken the unnatural view that sex is inherently wrong and sets him up for failure by tempting him with the an impure female, who of course have been set upon this earth for that very reason.
I didn't realize it when I picked up the book in the first place, but I think I have moved to a place in my life where this setup is no longer compelling to me. I'm just no longer into characters who are repressed by religion discovering their sexuality. I do see the need for and the value of such stories, and if you're into it, then you may very well enjoy this book. The characters were not overly complex but well-suited to their roles. Chloe was selfless and likable.
September 28, 2013
The Wife Test (Brides of Virtue, 1) by Betina Krahn 336 pages.
Mother Superior at the Convent of the Brides of Virtue has taught her charges many useful things, some times they are so clever it's scary.
Chloe of Guibray was left on the convent steps as an infant, she to clever by half!
Sir Hugh of Sennet doesn't like females but really doesn't like clever ones.
Mother Superior at the Convent of the Brides of Virtue has taught her charges many useful things, some times they are so clever it's scary.
Chloe of Guibray was left on the convent steps as an infant, she to clever by half!
Sir Hugh of Sennet doesn't like females but really doesn't like clever ones.
April 16, 2009
To be honest, I barely remember this book, but I do know that I enjoyed it...
September 23, 2023
It had a decent story setup, but failed as a romance. The heroine was a pretty bland character. The side characters were completely undeveloped. The hero had the most personality, but unfortunately that personality sucked. (And not in the typical romance hero way) He was basically an incel that hated women. He and the heroine had absolutely no chemistry whatsoever.
The setting was medieval England, but the details were so sparse that I never felt immersed in the world.
The setting was medieval England, but the details were so sparse that I never felt immersed in the world.
November 10, 2020
Always love a nun book, but I am concerned that it isnt the first book in the series as they reference the second novel as if it happened already. The hero was a bit more aggressive than I liked along the way but overall I enjoyed their story. I couldve done without the part of them being married for however long before the plot picked back up though.
July 22, 2017
Excellent medieval historical romance. Strong characters, a solid plot with a twist, romantic suspense mixed with adventure suspense. Betina Krahn is a delightful writer whose pages are readable, metaphors are often unexpected, and insight into human nature is resonant and true.
August 8, 2019
This is one of my favorite book trilogies I wish it had more on her father being the Duke and more romance with the couple for me to feel how he fell in love with chloe but other than that I loved it and if not for those things I would have gave it a 5 star
September 20, 2019
"The Wife Test" by Betina Krahn was a quick, fun read! A change of pace, indeed, dabbling as the author does in romance and in history...in a knightly fashion.
July 6, 2020
Very lighthearted and funny
August 15, 2020
*3.5 stars*
April 14, 2021
A solid 3.5 stars. Hugh was not a typical medieval hero and Chloe was not annoying.
Read
July 13, 2022DNF
June 16, 2023
DNF at 12%
I don’t like the kind of interactions that are shown, and I’m just not overly interested in the plot or finding out what’s going to happen.
I don’t like the kind of interactions that are shown, and I’m just not overly interested in the plot or finding out what’s going to happen.
March 7, 2024
Slow start, strong finish
January 22, 2013
I enjoyed this book, most especially because of the Heroine. The hero's sexual repression was hard for me to believe, but I am sure it can be possible. The medieval setting was wonderful, and I recommend this book if you love medieval romance.
October 10, 2007
This book it totally a sleezy romance, but I found the characterizations really interesting. The dialogue was also really great and the story was somewhat unique for a romance novel.
September 26, 2014
I love this series!
July 12, 2009
See my review for The Husband Test.
July 11, 2011
I liked this one better than "The Husband Test" and a little less than "The Marriage Test". Good series.
June 8, 2016
3 stars. Predictable writing and story. Slow to start but a happy ending. Smart and spunky heroine wins over a stubborn man.
March 19, 2012
This was a unique plot with interesting characters.
December 28, 2012
Okay I only got this book, because it was $1.00. It was on my list, but took it off because of the low rating. But I loved this book. Chloe was a great heroine and Hugh was a great hero.
August 3, 2012
fantastic series
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