This is the second story of a six-part series about three aristocrats who bet that each can act like a servant at the fourth aristocrat's house party the longest, without being caught by ton guests at the party. They are convinced that no one pays attention to servants. A great deal of money is riding on these bets. One of the aristocrats works in the Home Office. He is using the house party to catch a ton member who acted treasonously in the past.
This is Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington's story. He is a wealthy, ne'er-do-well who lives to drink, chase women, and wager outrageously. Fifteen months ago, Rhys broke off his courtship with the beautiful, rich Lady Julianna Montgomery. So naturally, Rhys doesn't expect Julianna to be part of these young debutants looking for a husband.
She is happily engaged to a Marquess. However, she was a last-minute addition to the house party. She recognizes Rhys in the stables. She promises not to let others know who the new groomsman is. However, when she finds out that there is lots of money riding on this bet, Julianna decides to pay Rhys back for his shabby treatment.
The reader soon learns why the couple's courtship ended. Julianna thinks Rhys dumped her, while Rhys thinks all Julianna wanted was his title. After reading two novels by this author, I know that she likes to have a big dramatic closing, and this one doesn't disappoint. What does disappoint is the same problems as last time. Cultured ladies do not have long, heart-felt discussions with the hired help. Second, this author seems to think readers want a graphic sex scene before marriage. This attitude is not in keeping with the Regency period; young women were cautious of their virtue before tying the knot.
This is Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington's story. He is a wealthy, ne'er-do-well who lives to drink, chase women, and wager outrageously. Fifteen months ago, Rhys broke off his courtship with the beautiful, rich Lady Julianna Montgomery. So naturally, Rhys doesn't expect Julianna to be part of these young debutants looking for a husband.
She is happily engaged to a Marquess. However, she was a last-minute addition to the house party. She recognizes Rhys in the stables. She promises not to let others know who the new groomsman is. However, when she finds out that there is lots of money riding on this bet, Julianna decides to pay Rhys back for his shabby treatment.
The reader soon learns why the couple's courtship ended. Julianna thinks Rhys dumped her, while Rhys thinks all Julianna wanted was his title. After reading two novels by this author, I know that she likes to have a big dramatic closing, and this one doesn't disappoint. What does disappoint is the same problems as last time. Cultured ladies do not have long, heart-felt discussions with the hired help. Second, this author seems to think readers want a graphic sex scene before marriage. This attitude is not in keeping with the Regency period; young women were cautious of their virtue before tying the knot.
