Good book. This is the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last. It is the prequel to the Brothers Sinister series and did precisely what it was supposed to do - whet my appetite for the rest of the series.
Serena was a governess let go from her position after the Duke of Clermont was seen leaving her room. In the three months since then, she discovered she was pregnant. Serena refuses to be a victim and determines to make him pay. She knows that the duke recently married a wealthy woman and is dependent on her goodwill to maintain his lifestyle, so she plans to shame him into doing the right thing.
Unfortunately for Serena, the duke has no morals. Instead, he orders Hugo, his man of business, to deal with the problem without telling him the whole story. Hugo, known for his ruthlessness, looks at it as just one more in a long line of problems to take care of. That is until he meets Serena.
I loved watching the fireworks between Serena and Hugo. Their first meeting was okay because she didn't know who he was, much to his surprise. He sounds her out on what the problem is and believes it will be an easy fix. Serena disabuses him of that notion when she flatly refuses his first offer and is unimpressed when she learns his identity. Hugo does his best to convince her that he is not a good person and that she won't win against him. But Serena is tougher and more determined than he knows. During the following days, Serena stands up to everything Hugo throws at her, refusing to give in. I loved their interchanges, witty and polite, yet blunt, leaving no doubt where each stood.
It isn't long before Hugo's frustration turns to fascination. Despite his reputation, Hugo is an honorable man. The more he learns of Serena's situation, the more he wants to help her. I liked his solution and the unexpected effect it had on him. I ached for Serena as he followed through on his promise while she hoped for more. The ending hit all the right spots as Hugo finally acknowledged his feelings, confronted the duke, and then went after what he wanted. But it was the epilogue that capped the story and made me want to read the rest of the series.
Serena was a governess let go from her position after the Duke of Clermont was seen leaving her room. In the three months since then, she discovered she was pregnant. Serena refuses to be a victim and determines to make him pay. She knows that the duke recently married a wealthy woman and is dependent on her goodwill to maintain his lifestyle, so she plans to shame him into doing the right thing.
Unfortunately for Serena, the duke has no morals. Instead, he orders Hugo, his man of business, to deal with the problem without telling him the whole story. Hugo, known for his ruthlessness, looks at it as just one more in a long line of problems to take care of. That is until he meets Serena.
I loved watching the fireworks between Serena and Hugo. Their first meeting was okay because she didn't know who he was, much to his surprise. He sounds her out on what the problem is and believes it will be an easy fix. Serena disabuses him of that notion when she flatly refuses his first offer and is unimpressed when she learns his identity. Hugo does his best to convince her that he is not a good person and that she won't win against him. But Serena is tougher and more determined than he knows. During the following days, Serena stands up to everything Hugo throws at her, refusing to give in. I loved their interchanges, witty and polite, yet blunt, leaving no doubt where each stood.
It isn't long before Hugo's frustration turns to fascination. Despite his reputation, Hugo is an honorable man. The more he learns of Serena's situation, the more he wants to help her. I liked his solution and the unexpected effect it had on him. I ached for Serena as he followed through on his promise while she hoped for more. The ending hit all the right spots as Hugo finally acknowledged his feelings, confronted the duke, and then went after what he wanted. But it was the epilogue that capped the story and made me want to read the rest of the series.
