Lady Emmaline Eberhart is the wife of an absent husband who didn't even bother to consummate their marriage. It takes an edict from the king to get him on his way home to take care of business, but he is killed on his way home. Now, the newly widowed Emma must remarry, and to a man of the king's choosing, to protect her late husband's estate from his deplorable heir, Bertrand. The king chooses Amaury de Aneford, a landless knight who is loyal to the Crown, and sends him to Castle Eberhart. Will this new husband also ignore Emma?

Amaury de Aneford dreads meeting, wedding and bedding his new bride, but is pleasantly surprised to find her a nubile, desirable, golden-haired goddess. She seems eager to complete their union and even more eager to bear his children, but her motives are a bit cloudy. When Amaury soon suspects someone is trying to kill him, the plot thickens as he seeks to find out who it is, and he must contend with his unseemly desire for his wife along the way. Will he find out who is behind the plot to kill him before it is too late?

The Deed is a funny, somewhat madcap ride through marriage, lust and love, in that order. Emma is an innocent, unsuspecting miss, despite being a widowed wife, and watching her discover her feminine power is just a delicious experience. Amaury pleases as a virile and slightly befuddled man who is determined not to let his wife run his life, in spite of her stubbornness. Together, they make magic, and readers will laugh themselves silly at their many entertaining foibles and flaws. The setting is authentic and the secondary characters add much color to this tale. The Deed is entertaining and enjoyable, and I giggled all the way through it. Five Angels!

Reviewed by: Michelle B.