A Scandalous Bargain

Beatrix Linley is the illegitimate daughter of a Duke. When her mother died, her father put her in a boarding school but never saw her again or corresponded with her. Beatrix’ only salvation from the cruel taunts of her schoolmates was the friendship she formed with another girl, Selina, who always stood up for her. Thus, Beatrix was always loyal to Selina. Though not blood sisters, they became “sisters” from then on. Beatrix and Selina managed to survive several years through questionable choices, but now they are both in London. Selina, featured in the first book in this Pretenders series, met her betrothed and is close to marrying him. Harry is with Bow Street and also the younger son of an Earl. Throughout the years, Beatrix remained focused on remaking herself and having a come-out season so she could establish relations with her father again. She knows she has to behave properly, but there is one thing, should it ever be revealed, that could ruin all her plans. Beatrix unknowingly steals things. She realizes she must get this impulse under control or her behavior will bring shame upon her “sister” Selina and possibly her father. When Beatrix arrived in London, she began to surreptitiously observe her father from a tree in the yard of his neighbor, who is Thomas Devereaux, Lord Rockbourne. Thomas has been married to a shrew for four years and it’s a horrible marriage. The only bright side in his life is his daughter, whose mother never pays attention to her. One evening when Beatrix was observing her father, her attention was drawn to Thomas and his wife having a dispute on their balcony. His wife accidentally falls over the balcony and dies. Beatrix enters the yard to befriend Thomas. They reach an agreement to not divulge the fact that Beatrix was there as she doesn’t want any gossip or scandal to reflect on her sister Selina who will be marrying the Earl’s son, nor herself who hopes for her father’s approval. Beatrix continues to find reasons for stopping by Thomas’ home. The more he sees her, the more enamored he becomes with her. Eventually, both of them share their secrets with one another. Thomas accepts Beatrix for what she is and what she had to contend with to survive when growing up. There is more I could share about the rest of their story but I do not want to spoil other potential reader’s pleasure when they read this engaging work. Note, there is one beautiful (IMO) lovemaking encounter between Beatrix and Thomas. The epilogue was great. It increased my interest in reading the next book in this series to find out who were the parents of Selina and Rafe, her brother. Even though this is a standalone work, a potential reader might find it easier to enjoy if they have read the previous work. I appreciate the fact that I was given an ARC to review and I gladly submit this unbiased opinion of what I read. This book had great characters, great dialogue, a good plot, and an engaging story to read. Book rating: 4 ½ stars with a Heat rating of 3 ½ - 4 stars.

The story contains several standard themes often scene in this genre, e.g. a heroine tormented by spiteful society ladies due to her birth and who is later driven to seek the approval of her birth father; a hero embittered by his late wife's behavior; a nasty in-law causing problems. These were interwoven into a story which held my attention throughout. The romance between Beatrix and Tom developed steadily, first as a form of friendship enabled by the clandestine meetings.Their relationship would probably not have been possible within the usual social framework of soirées and balls. I found this more satisfying than book 1. I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.

This story starts with jump and doesn't stop as the author weaves her magic. Beatrix grows up the illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Ramsgate and when her mother dies, he sends her off to school. She desperately wanted his attention and was left very lonely but eventually turns into an excellent Pretender and fashions in her mind how to get his attention. Now out on her own, she spies on her father from a tree in the next door neighbor, Thomas Devereux. Having overheard him and his wife continually fighting, she observes the wife falling off the balcony to her death! One thing leads to another and the story begins! She and Thomas begin to form a bond, after all, he had been tricked into the marriage of his varigo wife and Beatrix had is fighting her own dreams. A wonderful story that reveals hidden feelings and several twist and turns, these two needed each other and it left me with a hugh Sigh as I turned the last page!