SCANDAL AND THE DUCHESS is a short novella, just 160 pages, book 6.5 in the Mackenzies/McBrides series. With only fifteen chapters, the getting to know you then the fall into love of Rose and Steven occurs very rapidly. This light and very quick read provides a brief look into the lives of the Mackenzies as we wait for the release of the full novel Rules for a Proper Governess, which is next in the series.

Rose Barclay is the young widow of the Duke of Southdown. The duke died on their honeymoon, and it was intimated that the rigors of the marriage bed were too much for the elderly peer. The newspapers are making much out of the lampooning of the grieving widow. Rose's evil stepson is contesting her widow's portion, and kicks her out of the estate's dower house to kennel his dogs in it instead. The stepson is a fairly cardboard villain, but provides a good reason for Rose and Steven to be thrown together so strongly and so rapidly.

Steven McBride is a wild Scottish soldier on leave from his regiment in West Africa, who is known for his womanizing and heavy gambling. Rose is fleeing some intrusive journalists when she literally runs into Steven. He falls into Rose's bosom after leaving a gambling den, then passes out drunk on her lap. The scandal-mongering newspapers lewdly suggest that the newly widowed (and innocent!) duchess is starting an affair with Steven. Steven proposes a a ruse to fool the journalists, and then the two start off an a rapid adventure that has several unexpected consequences.

Fans of the series will love the many glimpses of other family. I was especially happy to see quite a bit of Ian Mackenzie, by far my favorite of all the characters in this series. There is a fun little mystery the intrepid couple solves, and a satisfying Happily Ever After. Consider this little story an amuse bouche, a single, bite-sized hors d'œuvre, to whet your appetite and prepare you for the upcoming meal of the next novel arriving.