The first half of the book was very enjoyable; however the second half slid into bad Romanceland cliches and was disappointing.
Bluestocking spinster Lucy Drysdale gladly accepts Lady Wescott's offer to come to London and chaperone her god-daughter, Lady Valerie. This will give her the opportunity to attend lectures and escape the confines of the country and the demands of her family.
Lucy doesn't know that Lady Wescott plans to throw her in front of her rakehell grandson, Ivan Thornton, known as the gypsy Earl, and London's notorious "love 'em and leave 'em" rogue.
Since the day he was torn from his mother's arms and sent to a harsh school for illegitimate sons of the nobility, Ivan despised his grandmother and society. Taking his place among them is perfect for his vengeance, but the outspoken, scholarly, yet passionate Lucy throws him off guard.
Their game of cat and mouse pleases Lady Wescott, confuses his friends and exhilarates Ivan, but when circumstances force his hand and he offers to marry Lucy, a whole new game ensues, for Ivan does not know that love has crept into his heart. Tragedy, loss and pain help him understand his wounded soul and Lucy's ability to heal him.
Spirited scholar Lucy Drysdale has long dreamed of London-- the stimulating lectures, the intellectual banter. But first she much chaperone Lade Valerie, a tender young girl embarking on her first social season.
Before Lucy can guide Valerie through her first society crush, they are swept into the world of the Earl of Westcott, London's most notorious rakehell.
Ivan Thornton, the gypsy Earl, gained his title only because his father had no legitimate heir. Bitter over the cruelties society heaped on him when he was just a boy, Ivan takes sweet revenge-- he breaks the hearts of young society women.
For Ivan, the two women are easy prey for his game of deceit-- until Lucy's passionate touch ignites a desire that sears his soul. And Lucy finds, in protecting Valerie from the charismatic Earl, that she has left her own heart dangerously vulnerable...
