Historical Romance published by Forever 26 Apr 22
Ned Wentworth might not be a suitable match by ton standards for Lady Rosalind Kinwood, but he’s definitely the right sort of fellow who can move around comfortably in the seamy underbelly of London to look for clues in the mystery of the Mayfair disappearing maids. Therein starts a courtship ritual played out in the eyes of the ton, giving Ned and Rosalind an opportunity to meet and exchange information. Despite her family’s disdain for Ned, Rosalind finds herself increasingly attracted. Does Ned reciprocate her feelings?
Ned was a young boy facing deportation when he came to the rescue of Quinn Wentworth in Newgate prison. Upon being declared the Duke of Walden, Quinn rescued Ned and brought him up to successfully run the bank he owns. Ned is in that unenviable position of being family to the Wentworths, but he’s looked down upon by the ton because his background is gray, and most people consider him the by-blow of the duke. When Lady Rosalind approaches him for precisely his reputation, he’s sucked into the investigation as he discovers more women are missing than originally suspected.
As Rosalind and Ned get to know each other better, one meeting at a time, to exchange information and then just because, Rosalind sees him clearly and becomes his biggest defender, even amongst the family who love him but don’t understand him fully. Of course, chief amongst the people who disparage Ned are Rosalind’s father and brothers. The story that is revealed amongst all the twists and turns of the investigation is bizarre and the culprits are even more unbelievable, though I have to admit I had begun to suspect.
An interesting conclusion to the series which has been a somewhat mixed bag overall.
Grade: C
Summary:
Ned Wentworth will be forever grateful to the family that plucked him from the streets and gave him a home, even though polite society still whispers years later about his questionable past. Precisely because of Ned’s connections in low places, Lady Rosalind Kinwood approaches him to help her find a lady’s maid who has disappeared.
Rosalind is too opinionated—and too intelligent—and has frequently suffered judgment at the hands of polite society. Despite her family’s disdain for Ned, Rosalind finds he listens to her and respects her. Then too, his kisses are exquisite. As the investigation of the missing maids becomes more dangerous, both Ned and Rosalind will have to risk everything—including their hearts—if they are to share the happily ever after that Mayfair’s matchmakers have begrudged them both.
Other books in this series:
