Three proper widows residing in London have become close
friends upon their widowhood; Lady Julia Winterset, Lady
Portia and Lady Veronica. Julia is left with depleting
funds to survive, but possesses her late great-grandmother
Hermione Middlebury's quite scandalous memoirs. For
survival, Julia decides to sell them for publication.
Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, is most interested
in purchasing them to protect the mention of his father in
the memoirs and the family's reputation. Being most proper
and stuffy, avoiding scandal is his uppermost concern. Mr.
Cadwallender, a publisher, and Mr. Ellsworth, an author,
are also pursuing the purchase of the memoirs.
The sudden ghostly appearance and frequent visits from
Hermione leaves Julia intrigued with each visit on her
lessons of life and love that Hermione strives to imbed in
her great-granddaughter. While considering all proposals
for the memoirs, Julia and Harrison become captivated with
each other and indulge in wild, unbridled sex, until Julia
learns of his conspiracy with Mr. Ellsworth to buy the
memoirs and turn them over to him for destruction. Harrison
soon learns his life has been missing a most vital element
when he stands to lose it all after the deception is
revealed to Julia. The stiff and proper Harrison isn't so
stuffy anymore.
THE PERFECT MISTRESS is a very amusing and interesting tale
from the first page to the last. The appearance of Hermione
and some of her dead paramours are most entertaining as
they continually appear to Julia. You will fall in love
with Harrison as the "real" character comes alive through
his total exasperation with the not-so-perfect woman of his
dreams.
In The Perfect Mistress, Victoria Alexander introduces readers to widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, who has inherited a book - a very shocking book - that every gentleman in London seems to want. For a charismatic businessman, it's a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a proud, domineering earl, it means everything. Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, can't let the obstinate Julia release the shameless memoir that could ruin his family's name. But the only way to stop her may be equally sordid - if far more pleasurable. For his rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire the book. And Harrison isn't the sort to back away from a competition with the stakes this high. Now the winner will claim both the scandalous memoirs and the heart of their lovely owner.