Time for Help a Bitch Out, aka HaBO! Someone remembers the details of a book, but not the author or title. And nearly every time, you in your wisdom can identify the book with ease and accuracy. It's amazing.
This request is from Shari, who writes:
I've been trying to remember the name of a book for several years. I was certain I had the book on my shelf, but I finally got around to looking at all of them (then let my mild OCD kick in and organized them alphabetically), and I can't find it. I have no doubt that the bitchery can help. My memory is horrible, but here's what I do remember:
It was a historical and I read it before 2004
The hero is rich and powerful
The hero married the heroine, then ends up leaving her at their house to go have sex with someone else, and I'm pretty sure she knows where he's going and why
He really does cheat on her (I'm not sure, but it may have been with a mistress or at a brothel)
I think he does this out of self-loathing (I'm a horrible person, so I'll save her from the heartache of loving me 'cause I don't deserve it, so I'll cheat on her to save her)
He may have had a drinking problem
He may have been described as lion like in his appearance
Anyone recall a self-loathing cheating hero with a drinking problem?