Sandy M’s review of The Mistress’ House by Leigh Michaels
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Feb 11
This is my first time reading Leigh Michaels, and I have to say this is such a delightful story that I know I’m more than likely going to be glomming her backlist when I can. I enjoyed everything about this book, the characters, the storyline, and, of course, the writing. What makes it the most fun is how Ms. Michaels has woven three heroes and heroines together into one book, giving them their own story while threading it around and through one charming inanimate object – a house that turns mistresses into something much more than they ever thought they’d be.
First up is Anne, Lady Wilde. She’s a widow with an unsatisfying marriage behind her and doesn’t want to go through it all again. Therefore, she seeks out the Earl of Hawthorne, the scandalous rake of London, asking him to ruin her so she can retain her freedom and do as she pleases. At first Hawthorne refuses her request, but he can’t get the woman out of his head and has second thoughts. Deciding to put his recent acquisition of Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, which adjoins his own home, to good use, he very thoroughly ruins Anne there for any other man.
Becoming Hawthorne’s mistress is not what Anne has in mind when she begins this plan of hers, but suddenly if that’s the only way she can have him, she’s perfectly happy to be at his beck and call as Mrs. Wilde, the name and cover story Hawthorne gives her for their assignations. I like the notes and/or verbal messages he gives her for each of their meetings; fun and suggestive and so very vague that no one would guess the players if the missives fell into the wrong hands or were overheard.
Next we meet Felicity, Lady Desire. She’s Anne’s best friend and has come to visit her in London to leave some sad and unsettling memories behind. That doesn’t happen, however, when she meets Lord Colford, a cousin of Hawthorne’s and brother to the man who broke her heart. As a last-minute decision, Felicity reveals her identity and demands satisfaction from Richard for his brother’s behavior – she wants a child and believes Richard will do just fine since she can’t have his deceased brother. Anne has given her access to Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, what better place for this spot of business.
Not sure why he takes the lady up on her offer, Richard doesn’t just have sex with Felicity, he makes love to her and they’re both deeply affected by the emotion that goes through them during and after. So much so Richard suggests they meet several more times to make sure all goes as planned and Felicity certainly agrees, both wanting to be in the other’s arms once again. They have a beautiful but short affair before Felicity begins to think of the future and how having no father nor his name will affect her child. But calling it all off doesn’t sit well with Richard, he won’t allow her to walk out of his life after what they’ve shared and what he’s learned about his brother’s actions.
Finally there’s Georgianna, Lady Flame. She’s young and a whirlwind who flies into Hawthorne’s life, exclaiming she’s his ward and he has to help her with her current dilemma – escaping the arranged marriage her uncle has decided is best for her. Promising to talk to the man, Hawthorne ensconces Georgie in Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, and she makes use of the earl’s gardens late night after the servants are abed.
There she meets Julian, a soldier and another cousin of Hawthorne’s. He’s been summoned home by their grandfather to take over the family duty after the current heir has died. Not wanting to bow down to the old man’s ultimatums, Julian is staying with Hawthorne until he can figure out what to do. Teaching an innocent how to become a mistress is not what he had in mind, but there’s something about the minx in the garden that draws possessiveness out in Julian. Better he teach her than some other man not worthy of her.
Each of these stories is filled with fun, witty banter, heartache and emotion, a little mystery, romance, and twists that you don’t see coming. These heroes don’t see themselves as men giving in to marriage; the heroines never see themselves as anything but mistresses. I enjoyed Richard and Felicity the most, there’s more emotion involved in their story, but all three are well worth the read. Ms. Michaels does a wonderful job of seamlessly connecting the characters and the storylines.
A unique way of presenting all of these elements, and it works beautifully.
Grade: B+
Summary:
The rules are made to be broken…
When the handsome, rakish Earl of Hawthorne buys the charming house across the back garden from his town home, he never expects the lovely lady he installs there to ensnare him completely…
Again…
After Lady Keighley marries the earl, it seems a shame to leave the house empty, so she offers it to her childhood friend Felicity Mercer, who discovers that the earl’s gorgeous cousin is precisely the man she’s been waiting for…
and again…
Finally, feisty Georgiana Baxter moves into the house to escape an arranged marriage, and encounters the earl’s friend Major Julian Hampton late one night in the back garden. The handsome soldier is more than willing to give her the lessons she asks for…
There is plenty of gossip, scandal, and torrid speculations surrounding the “mistress’ house”, but behind closed doors, passions blaze…
No excerpt found.
