Christine Wells Scandal's Daughter

Scandal's Daughter

Christine Wells

Berkley, Sep 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 9780425218327

In 1814, only to his dying godfather would notorious womanizer Earl Sebastian Laidley make a death bed promise. However out of respect for the man, Sebastian promises to find a husband for his childhood friend Gemma Maitland within three months or if he fails at matchmaking marry her.

Scandalized by her mother a disreputable courtesan, Gemma ignores polite society although she admits to herself that is easy as she is an undesirable. Thus she rusticates running her grandfather's estate, but loves using her brains to turn a profit out of the land. Sebastian realizes to succeed on his quest without it being him he needs to get her off her turf and onto his. He convinces Gemma he needs her help with his sister's wedding and, she agrees to assist him. On his estate, he angrily thinks half the male members of the Ton want to court Gemma; a jealous Sebastian has always loved her even when they were children.

This entertaining Regency romance obviously uses the theme of a rake finding a husband for the daughter of a courtesan, an often used device that is fresh and brisk because of Sebastian's changing feelings as no suitor is good enough for Gemma. As for those she might consider if she was seeking a spouse, Sebastian denies his jealousy. Sub-genre readers will enjoy this fine "I'm not in love" historical romance as the lead male knows It's just a silly phase he's going through.

Harriet Klausner