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.
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