Wanted: Governess able to keep all hours . . .
Rebellious Julian Fortescue never expected to inherit a dukedom, nor to find himself guardian to three young half-sisters. Now in the market for a governess, he lays eyes on Jane Grey and knows immediately she is qualified—to become his mistress. Yet the alluring woman appears impervious to him. Somehow Julian must find a way to make her succumb to temptation . . . without losing his heart and revealing the haunting mistakes of his past.
Desired: Duke skilled in the seductive art of conversation . . .
Lady Jeanne de Falleron didn’t seek a position as a governess simply to fall into bed with the Duke of Denford. Under the alias of Jane Grey, she must learn which of the duke’s relatives is responsible for the death of her family—and take her revenge. She certainly can’t afford the distraction of her darkly irresistible employer, or the smoldering desire he ignites within her .
But as Jane discovers more clues about the villain she seeks, she’s faced with a possibility more disturbing than her growing feelings for Julian: What will she do if the man she loves is also the man she’s sworn to kill?
Other books in the Wild Quartet series:
Neville wraps her quartet with a delicious book. Now, I loved the third book and wasn’t sure how this one would play out for me. Don’t get me wrong Julian is a dark, tortured hero. He also possess that dry, haughty nature only a duke can deliver well. So naturally I should love him, but he’s proven to be the most debauched, willing to seduce a married woman. Definitely not hero material.
In this book he’s still the same naughty, improper Duke, but with an extra layers I didn’t get the pleasure of becoming familiar with. When it comes to being less of an ass and more of a caring male, he doesn’t start out that way. Sorry, Denford is in my bad-boys-to-stay-away-from-list. He quickly makes up for it by attempting to be a good big brother to his step-sisters and trying to be helpful to his newly hired governess — while convincing her an affair is a good idea at the same time.
The governess is searching for a killer and she’s probably the best mysterious heroine written in a while. Jeanne is looking for the man who killed her family. It’s heartbreaking to believe that the Duke of Denford might have been involved, but the weaving story about her family’s history, Julian’s involvement, and how this all revolves around priceless art is in itself sheer genius. The entire time Jeanne is on the hunt she’s trying not to fall into Julian’s debauchery, which is damn difficult. The man is sin on a stick. I applaud our heroine for fighting the good fight, but eventually she loses, which of course love requires loss at some point.
Now as far as pacing goes, this book is a quick clip with the pieces of the puzzle coming together rather quickly. Normally I figure out mysteries before the end of the book, but I’ll admit this one wasn’t easy for me. Neville does a wonderful job of keeping the suspense bit rolling and the suspect list large. The budding romance weaves and ebbs around the mystery nicely. There are a couple of characters I wanted to see receive more punishment, but they didn’t; darn. In the meantime I’ll cross my fingers and hope Neville writes books for Julian’s sisters. These half-Irish girls are endearing, and added an element to the book I didn’t expect. Also, if you’re read the whole series so far you have to read this one because Oliver finally finds a woman worth adoring.
Overall, this one is wonderful and I highly recommend to readers who enjoy Cara Elliot, Lecia Cornwall or Loretta Chase.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
