April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

My Fair Temptress, October 2005 The Governess Bride Series - Book 7 by Christina Dodd HarperCollins Featuring: Jude Durant; Caroline Ritter 384 pages ISBN: 0060561122 Paperback Add to Wish List Purchase Amazon Powell's Books

"Another Governess finds her Prince"

My Fair Temptress
Christina Dodd

Reviewed by Faye McMichael
Posted December 6, 2005

Romance Historical

Miss Caroline Ritter is a diamond of the first water and a much sought after debutante. When she is found in a compromising position, she is ruined in the eyes of the ton. And, since she can no longer marry a peer, her father casts her out. After years of menial jobs, Caroline applies to Adorna Bucknell's Distinguished Academy of Governesses for a position. When asked what she is accomplished at Caroline has but one reply -- flirting.

The Duke of Nevett wants his son, Jude, the Earl of Huntington, married and producing grandchildren to carry on the family line so he hires Caroline to teach Jude to flirt so that he can secure a bride. However, Jude is on a mission to find out who killed his older brother and to foil a plot against England. He is only playing the dandy and fool in order to gather information for the Home Office. He dresses outrageously to make society think he is a nincompoop of the highest order so he can get closer to the men who murdered his brother and discover why they are in England.

This is Ms. Dodd's seventh book in the Governess Bride series. This book started off with a bang but somewhere in the middle, it became got choppy. The episode at the opera was over the top and unbelievable, with his mother sitting just ten feet away. However, the scene after the opera -- now, that was very erotic and believable.

There are some time gaps and a few scenes that were way too outlandish to be enjoyed. I think it is very distracting when minor characters are introduced to fill pages and then rushed so you have no idea why they were even mentioned in the first place.

I wish that Ms. Dodd had expanded the Freshfield storyline because the conclusion seemed very anti- climatic to me. It was enjoyable to learn what Jude did to insure Caroline's safety and to make sure she was no longer bothered by Freshie. Caroline's character was hard to figure out -- one moment she was a strong woman living on the streets supporting herself -- and the next she was a cowering weakling when confronted by a couple of old biddies. The repartee between Caroline and Jude could be very funny. The very idea that the Duke had no idea that Jude and Duchess set Caroline up in his house and he just thought she arrived early each day for work was a hoot. The ending of this book has expertly set up the story for her next book.

Learn more about My Fair Temptress

SUMMARY

Miss Caroline Ritter, accomplished flirt, acknowledged beauty, and ruined gentlewoman, offers lessons to any rich, noble lord too inept to attract a wife. Discard your silly affectations and your garish clothing! Learn the art of witty conversation, elegant dancing, equestrian feats and irresistible seduction at the opera! With Miss Ritter's help, you can become the most sought-after aristocrat at the ball!

Send your request to the Distinguished Academy of Gover nesses.

Please, absolutely no devastatingly attractive men with hidden agendas, such as secret missions or vengeful plots against evil villains—specifically not Jude Durant, the earl of Huntington, the most handsome, the most covert, the most dangerous of all the aristocrats in Regency London.

Excerpt

London

Summer, 1847

"It's not that you were a pickpocket, Samantha. It's that you persist in exposing your employers' foibles to your employers themselves, and they don't care for it." Adorna, Lady Bucknell, spoke in her soft and husky voice, and anyone listening would think she placidly accepted Samantha's most recent dismissal.

Samantha Prendregast didn't make that mistake. She stood before the desk with her chin up, shoulders back, just as Adorna had taught her. "No, ma'am."

The study of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses had been decorated in shades of pale blue, and Adorna's lush blonde beauty shone like a diamond in a satin setting. "I warned you about Mr. Wordlaw. I told you he was a martinet who believes women should be seen and not heard, and you assured me you would be able to handle him." Samantha resisted the desire to shift back and forth. "Yes, ma'am."

"Yet in two short months you are back at the Distinguished Academy of Governesses without a job, without a reference, and with a guarantee that Mr. Wordlaw's vengefulness will spread your larcenous reputation among the few of the ton who don't yet know it." Adorna folded her hands beneath her chin and fixed her large blue eyes on Samantha. "So what is your defense this time?"

Samantha thought of what she should say, how she could pacify Adorna, but she had given up lying at the same time she had given up stealing. "He bullies his son. The lad doesn't want to study the law. Little Norman stammers already, and when his father dragged him up in front of the entire family and mocked him, my heart ached for him, and I wanted to" -- she grewwarm as she thought about that day, or perhaps the heat of a summer day in the City affected her -- "teach that man a lesson."

"So you told his wife about his mistress and convinced his mistress to abandon him. How will that benefit young Norman?"

"Mrs. Wordlaw's father controls the money. She has taken her son and left Wordlaw, which she should have done years ago, but she was too proud to admit she'd made a mistake. Norman's grandfather will make sure Norman gets to follow his dream." Samantha remembered how science fascinated the boy. "I think the lad is going to invent something wonderful."

"And the mistress?"

Samantha grinned. "She's a friend of mine from my street days. She relished giving the old whoreson the heave-ho for a chance at young Lord Penwyn."

"How did she get that chance?"

"I arranged it."

Adorna's delicate sigh conveyed resignation. "I'll wager you did."

"My lady, I'm sorry I lost the position and brought disgrace upon the Distinguished Academy of Governesses." Samantha really was sorry, sorrier than she could say. "But I'm not sorry I helped Norman."

"No, I'm not sorry, either. But there are always more discreet ways of maneuvering."

Samantha hated that she had disappointed Adorna -- again. "I know. I really, really do. I try to remember what you tell me, but sometimes I lose my temper, and I don't get it back for a long time. By then it's too late."

"Sit down." Adorna indicated the blue velvet chair beside Samantha.

Samantha slid into it gratefully. Adorna had rescued her from the streets six years before, and for the first three of those years Samantha had studied Adorna's every word and move in hopes of emulating her charm and beauty. Now, at the age of twenty-two, Samantha faced the fact that a tall blonde Viking with outspoken tendencies could never squeeze herself into Adorna's dainty, circumspect mold. But the time spent contemplating Adorna had given Samantha insight into the shrewd mind her patron hid beneath her breathy voice and curvaceous body. The worst of the censure was over. Now she must face the consequences.

And she knew how to face consequences. She'd learned that, not from Adorna, but from a father who, from the time she could toddle, taught her to pick a pocket and smile charmingly all the while.

"Mr. Wordlaw had quite the black eye when he came here to complain," Adorna said.

Samantha bunched up her skinny fist.

Adorna nodded. "That's what I thought. Did he attack you?"

"He tried. After his wife had moved out." Their tussle had been brief and sharp, and Samantha's arm ached where he had wrenched it. She didn't allow herself to show the terror that struggle had engendered, nor would she admit how often she came awake, heart pounding, in the grips of a nightmare. "He really is a despicable little man."

"He's over six foot. Most people would not call him little."

"Not in stature. In character."

"Hm. Yes. Be that as it may, he is a respected judge --"

"Respected?"

"For the moment. Until I can spread gossip to the contrary."

"You are good, my lady." Samantha folded her hands in her lap and tried to appear demure.

She obviously didn't succeed, for Adorna's voice sharpened. "Even then, my dear young crusader for justice, there are those who believe a woman should honor her vows regardless of how corrupt her husband is."

"Men, mostly."

"Mostly." Adorna tapped her nails on the open letter before her and stared beyond Samantha. "Part of the problem with placing you is that you're an attractive young woman."

"Thank you, my lady." Adorna had taught Samantha many things, among them how to make the most of her best features. Samantha braided her platinum blonde hair and wrapped it over her ears, and into a loose knot at the back of her neck. She used her large brown eyes to flirt and admire, and never did she allow them to reveal her intelligence. Her lips were generous -- too generous, in her opinion, but Adorna had told her men would want to kiss them. That turned out to be true ...

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