This is the fourth book in Moreland series by Candace Camp. The previous books are WINTERSET, BEYOND COMPARE and MESMERIZED. All of the Morelands make appearances in this book. Unfortunately, this reviewer has not read the previous books so I was unable to compare it with them. This is also the first book that I've read by this author.

AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE is the story of Theo Moreland, Lord Raine, the eldest son of the Duke of Broughton and Megan Mulcahey, an Irish-American girl, working in a man's world as a journalist. She has had to work harder and fight her way to prove herself. Now Megan is about to begin her greatest journey -- to find and prove that Theo Moreland murdered her brother and bring him to justice.

The Mulcahey family believes Theo Moreland murdered their brother Dennis ten years ago when they were in the jungle of the Amazon together. They received a short note from Theo Moreland informing them of Dennis' death which he described as an accident. They also received another letter from Andrew Barchester, who was also on the expedition, claiming that Moreland murdered Dennis. Barchester also told them that Moreland took an object from Dennis and was wearing it around his neck and wouldn't let anyone see it.

Megan is awakened during the night by her sister Deirdre's screams. Deirdre says that she has seen their brother Dennis. She is not sure why Dennis has contacted her after all these years, but she feels that there is something that Dennis wants them to retrieve; Deirdre is considered by the family as having "second sight." Frank Mulcahey believes that his son wants his death avenged and whatever Theo Moreland stole returned to them.

It is decided that the Mulcahey's will travel to London and secure the evidence needed to prove Theo Moreland is a murderer. They may not be able to have him convicted in a court of law but they will expose him to the people of London and his family as a murderer.

After arriving in London, Megan secures a position in the Moreland household as a tutor. The Duchess of Broughton is a free thinking woman and believes that a woman can also be a tutor. Besides, the twins, Constantine and Alexander, are a bit of a hand full and have dispatched a great number of tutors with their antics. After being raised with three brothers Megan is more than able to handle the twins. She earns their undying respect the day she arrives by helping catch their mice and not screaming when they tell her that they plan to feed the mice to their pet boa.

The moment Megan sees Theo Moreland she is mesmerized. He is the most handsome man she has ever seen. As she looks into his eyes, she has to keep reminding herself that he murdered her brother. Theo also feels a bit of a shock because during that trip down the Amazon he contracted a high fever and believes that the woman who came to him and saved his life looked exactly like Megan.

Megan is accepted at face value by the Moreland's and is immediately included in family dinners and outings. She finds it harder and harder after each of Theo's kisses to believe that he is a killer. During a heated exchange she reveals her belief that he killed her brother and tells him about the letter stating his guilt. Theo then tells Megan the entire story of her of brother's death and why he wrote such a short note and never wrote to them again. Megan looks deep into his eyes and believes his story. Theo and Megan realize that neither has heard the real story and decide to investigate together.

This book started off really good and grabbed my attention, but in the middle I felt like I was reading my old history book. At that point it was really hard to continue, but after the history lesson ended the story continued and I ended up enjoying it. I felt the ending was a little rushed and unbelievable. Readers who like alot of actual history will enjoy this story.

I do hope that Ms. Camp will continue with the Moreland series. "The Little Greats" (Constantine and Alexander) need their own story.