Mrs. Drew is a new widow with two small daughters and at the mercy of her beloved husband's brother, who is putting intense pressure on her to live in his home as his widowed sister-in-law, but to be serving as his mistress. She makes a stab at freedom for herself and her daughters by arranging to rent the dower house of a local estate, owned by the Marquess of Winn, that has been unoccupied for quite some years.

The Colonel, Lord Fletcher Winn has made himself a social outcast by conducting a very public, ugly divorce proceeding through the House of Lords after discovering his much-loved then-wife in bed with his best friend when Winn returned unexpectedly from the Peninsular campaign. He subsequently discovered she'd slept with half the fashionable men in London and his pain and hurt made it impossible for his to continue his marriage to her. He has become isolated, mistrustful of women, and deeply unhappy with his life and prospects for happiness.

There is liking between our protagonists from their first meeting. Both are strong, likable characters who have been dealt bad hands in the cardgame of life. Quitting is in neither of their natures however, and their relationship develops in a way that is not contrived, but rich and meaningful. Their developing love for one another is completely believable. Dramatic circumstances dictate a marriage that would probably not have occurred otherwise (due to Winn's divorce), but the unusual and unexpected wedding (to them) does occur.

There are a number of scenes in this book that beg to be reread and savored. One delightful confrontation between Mrs. Roxanna Drew Winn and Winn's unpleasant sister, Amabel, takes place over breakfast. Lord Winn's relationship with his sisters was an interesting secondary plot line that I will enjoy attending a little more to when I reread Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand, as I undoubtedly will. I loved this story! ( )