While it had quite a few flaws, the love story of Nikki and Alisa is a good enough read to kill time on a lazy afternoon or whenever you have your free moments.

It takes place in early 19thc Russia, where wild, rakish aristocrat Nikki bets his friends he can seduce the virtuous Alisa, a young woman with a little daughter, who's trapped in a loveless marriage with Foseus, a cruel, abusive much older man, and is miserable and lonely. She finds solace by sketching and painting outdoors, and that's where Nikki begins setting the trap, never dreaming he'd get caught in it.

It kind of reminds me a bit of "Dangerous Liaisons", except this one has a HEA, though it takes a heck of a long time to get there.

it didn't take long for Alisa to fall in love, even after learning about the bet she still couldn't resist Nikki, and soon finds herself and five year old Katelina living with him, assured of his protection from Forseus.

Much of the conflict comes from Nikki's unwillingness to commit himself to Alisa. Though his family's money and connections (as well as Forseus's sadism) would enable Alisa to get a divorce, Nikki has no intention of becoming her next husband. Despite his parents' happy marriage, he's seen too many society couples in loveless unions to ever want to attempt it himself. He likes being free and has always enjoyed a profligate lifestyle. Alisa's just the opposite: her horrible, arranged marriage hasn't soured her against it, but only if it's based on love. They end up at a stalemate, as Nikki will only admit to desire and passion, and wants her with him, until he doesn't, whenever that might be. until then, he expects her to stay with him and be faithful, even if he isn't. Alisa's sweet, gentle nature can't help but rebel at this treatment, and she determines to leave and try to make a new life somewhere for her and Katelina.

Throughout most of the novel, Nikki fights his feelings for Alisa, won't even admit to himself how much she means to him, buys her expensive clothes and jewelry and treats her like a live doll he enjoys playing with. When she tries to escape, he finds her and puts her under house arrest. She resists his lovemaking, he turns to other women (but only a couple of times, which for him was a miracle), and starts escorting a young debutante to social events. Alisa reacts by encouraging the attentions of a young army lieutenant, which infuriates Nikki. On and on it goes.

However, things change when she's kidnapped and nearly raped by Forseus; Nikki rescues her and declares his love.

The newfound happiness doesn't last, as Alisa becomes pregnant ,and Nikki is coerced by his well-meaning father into marrying her. He feels trapped and spends time away from home, drinking, gambling, even smoking opium and hashish. (More like a rebellious college kid than a grown man.) He ignores Alisa so much, that she retaliates by flirting with other men at social functions. Neither one will give in, but the real problem is Nikki's unwillingness to admit how much she means to him.

There are some scenes that get to your heart, like when Alisa watches Nikki with Katalina, who just adores him and who he's become fond of. (In fact, he treats her much better than his own illegitimate children, whom he just sends money to and never visits.) Alisa wishes for even a small amount of the kindness and affection he shows her daughter.

Another time, while they're making love, Nikki takes out his frustrations about his repressed feelings and all their misunderstandings on Alisa and ends up hurting her. When he sees her tears, he's overcome with remorse and then he's all tenderness.

Later, when there's a chance she may not live, he breaks down and cries, finally admitting how much she means to him.

Yes, everything's resolved in the end, but it's a long, exhausting road to get there. Still, it's an okay book, not bad for passing the time. ( )