When she found out that a certain Earl by the name of Calvin Bretherton was looking for a wife, she couldn't wait to catch his eye. Unfortunately, the competition was stiff and protocol got in the way. So when her grandfather proposed that the Duchess of Twillingham use her connections and tutor Athena on more ladylike deportment, Athena dropped her resistance when she found out who was to be captured. Anything to be Calvin's wife!

But discovering his betrayal, she could not go forward with the engagement. In the midst of her torment and tears, she thought about a way to make wives more intriguing to their husbands and decided to ask her grandfather for funds to set us a special finishing school for spinsters to make them more "marketable" as brides.

Using the much-hated Countess Cavendish's "Feminine Excellence, or Every Young Woman's Guide to Ladylike Comportment" as a cover, Lady Athena and her married friend, Hester, the Baroness Willett, soon were very successful in gaining clients for their special finishing school in the old "Pleasure Emporium" with its hidden sexy curriculum.

Forced by his good friend and Admiral to attend to his family's duties, the Marquess of Warridge, Marshall Hawkesworth, only wants to expedite them as quickly as possible and get back to his career in the navy. So, when his sister Justine tried to explain why the marriage he had set up for her would not be the best for her based on what she had learned at Lady Athena's school, he had to go and see what could be done. After all, if Justine doesn't marry, then the admiral won't let Marshall get back to his ship and out to sea.

Taking advantage of Athena's misconception about his visit, Marshall becomes a lecturer at the school to find out more. What will happen if the real nature of the school gets known? Can a major scandal be contained? Meanwhile, why is Calvin still so interested in marrying Athena when her prospects are so poor?

In this final book of the "Pleasure Emporium" series, talented Michelle Marcos has crafted an intriguing way for her heroine to be a bold rogue and still virginally bashful as bedazzles her handsome hero. Of special enjoyment is the use of Marshall's enlightenment about the situation for women as an effective vehicle in moving the plot forward. With lots of tongue in cheek humor, WICKEDLY EVER AFTER is a fun and lively read! Enjoy!

Book Summary