Veena’s review of My Scandalous Viscount (Inferno Club, Book 5) by Gaelen Foley
Historical Romance published by Avon 25 Sep 12
Carissa Portland’s friends have disappeared from the city in the midst of the Season and she’s frustrated because Sebastian Walker, the Viscount Beauchamp, knows where they are and why they left but won’t share his knowledge with her. Unbeknownst to Carissa, these titled gentleman, Beau included, are members of a covert society called the Inferno Club, who protect England from harm. Her friends are all sequestered in a safe house while their men are on a secret mission in Europe. Trying to divert Carissa from pursuing her line of inquiry, Beau shocks her into silence by kissing her. Temporarily diverted, but by no means giving up, Carissa intercepts a message meant for Beau and shows up at the assignation determined to get the information, only to be in the wrong place at the wrong time as she gets between Beau and a gunshot.
Having no recourse but to take her away from her family and chaperone to seek medical attention, Beau makes reparation by asking her to marry him so as to maintain her reputation in the ton. After a beautiful ceremony at Westminster Abbey, followed by a wedding breakfast with a gift exchange between members of the family but more particularly from Beau to his wife and an interesting gift from her to him, it seems that their marriage, regardless of the unfortunate beginning, might have a great chance at success, and clearly there’s always been a strong physical attraction between them.
Unfortunately, Carissa has a secret that she’s afraid to share and hopes Beau never finds out, but, as we all know, secrets have a way of finding the light of day and usually at the most inopportune moment. Beau, who was becoming her best friend, suddenly becomes a stranger not willing to listen to any explanations, creating a huge divide between them.
Outside of his troubles on the domestic front, Beau is trying desperately to find his team member Nick of the shooting Carissa fame, so that he can bring him back into the order’s fold. At the same time the order is under a lot of fire from Ezra Green, who leads the house of commons as he spearheads an investigation into the doings of the order. And if that wasn’t enough, the news filtering in from Europe, where his friends are on a mission, is disturbing. More shocking truths await and a terrible plot that threatens the very fabric of England is exposed and it’s up to Beau and his companions to save the day.
Most importantly, Carissa proves her worth as a true lady of information and helps Beau unravel the puzzle in the nick of time to avert disaster and win a resounding victory for the order, paving the way to salvaging her marital relationship. All bitterness is behind them as they make a new start, and now that their relationship has been tested and survived, they are ready for the happily ever after which is their due.
While the book started slow and I struggled with it in places overall, I enjoyed the book. I have read all the previous stories in the series and it’s nice to meet all those players again to get an update on their lives. I am really looking forward to bad boy redeemed Nick’s story when it comes out.
Summary:
Sebastian, Viscount Beauchamp lives by a code of honor, and now honor dictates he must marry Miss Carissa Portland. He has no regrets over stealing a kiss from the adorable little busybody—a fitting punishment for putting her delectable nose in where it didn’t belong. But now, caught in a compromising situation, he knows he must make her his bride. He’s faced danger before—but nothing like this! Carissa is not a gossip—she’s a “lady of information.” And all she was trying to do was warn the rakehell Beauchamp away from an irate husband.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
