Tangled / Mary Balogh 384 p. December Challenge: 6 Geese-a-Laying

Mary Balogh continues to create characters with flaws.  Here David Tavistock has always protected Julian, taking the blame for his indiscretions including fathering an illegitimate baby.  David has shielded Rebecca, the love of his life, from Julian's faults.  Rebecca turns to Julian as a marriage partner since David is wild and reckless.  When Julian dies in the Crimean War, David convinces a very reluctant Rebecca to marry him.  During Rebecca's difficult pregnancy, she comes to rely on David. Both come to the marriage with secrets, secrets that may shatter the fragile marriage they share.