The tales of the House of Rohan continue the only way they can… through mind buckling pleasure with a dash of villainy.

Viscount Benedick Rohan is back in London for two reasons: to find a docile wife and shag himself senseless with his female(s) of choice behind closed doors. His plans are quickly shut down with a blast of cold water when he finds that his former Cyprian acquaintances have shunned the life of demimonde goddesses to pursue reform.

The dovecote of ex-whores is led by innocence crusader Melisande ‘Charity’ Carstairs, who quickly lights a double fire of scorn and lust within Benedick. She needs his help to stop the newly reformed Heavenly Host, and his brother from committing more than just a simple carnal act. Yet as the pair gets closer to their goal, close quarters and the tales they weave cause more than just the pot to stir. In the end, Melisande and Benedick are not only warring against the brutality of the Host, but against the rising passion that seeps from within them.

Shameless is such a fitting title, as both characters are absolutely shameless in everything they do. Melisande doesn’t care about society conventions, being escorted by a chaperone, or acting in a manner befitting her station. Benedick is equally lethal and follows Melisande’s lead, except he is also lethal with his mouth; in more ways than one.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I started reading, as Stuart deviated from the previous trend of her books in the Rohan saga which skips to a new generation each book. Instead we get a closer look at Miranda Rohan’s brother, and he is every inch the opposite of what reader’s previously knew. I was shocked by Benedick’s behavior, but honestly thoroughly enjoyed seeing the heir to the Rohan line take a less than virtuous role. Yet, not quite the same as his successors.  Especially in this one scene where Benedick becomes tempted beyond reason after he catches Melisande in his bedchamber:

“You know, I think I’ve changed my mind.” She swung her legs over to the side of the bed, and he could see the strapping on one foot.

It was her toes that did it. He’d forgotten about her lovely, straight, pink toes. Absurd, because he never noticed women’s feet—there were always too many more interesting parts to observe somewhere to the north. It was the fragility of them. The humanity of them. He’d been sparring with her for days, thinking of her as an annoyance, entertainment, the enemy, and yes, a sexual toy.

Now she simply looked human, and shattered by his deliberately cruel words. They’d done what he’d intended. She would never come near him again, never look at another man.

And he couldn’t bear it.

He leaned back against the door, closing it again, and he reached behind his back and locked it, pulling out the key. “Too bad,” he said. “Because I’ve changed my mind, as well.”   

I would have liked a little more of the bad side of the Rohan’s, but the story plays true to the character of Benedick. While he is a rake, Benedick is not as inclined to sexual depravity and voracious appetites compared to the previous male Rohans, though his inner thoughts claim differently. I will say that I thought Shameless was a little bit tamer than Stuart’s previous Rohan books, but still a great read. 

~ Landra