Captain Steven McBride is a self-described drunken rake.
He
has never done anything that wasn't self-serving or for a
lark. Life has a way of changing things, though. Back in
London on an early leave from his company in West Africa,
he
has some unfinished -- and unwelcome - business to attend
to
before heading north to his family in Scotland for the
holidays. Trying to drink away his demons he lands,
drunkenly, in the arms of the most beautiful angel his
eyes
have ever beheld. If only he knew exactly how much of a
guardian angel she truly was.
Mistaking Steven for a drunken, homeless veteran, Rose,
the
scandalous Dowager Duchess of Southdown, takes him home
and
offers to assist him in regaining his feet. However, upon
discovery of the truth, it is Steven who offers to be of
assistance. Deciding to create a sensation and give the
press precisely what they want, the two of them embark on
a
scandalous engagement with the full intent of re-
establishing her fortune and reputation. After which, she
will be free to travel wherever she wishes, and he can go
back to Africa with an assuaged conscience. But will that
be enough for them?
As SCANDAL AND THE DUCHESS is about the youngest of the
McBride brood, Steven, who was raised by Patrick and has
always been a bit wild, it is no surprise that it opens
with
Steven being dead drunk. However, the fun loving, devil-
may-care soldier who has appeared in many other books is
not
so carefree in this book. There is a brooding darkness
that
envelopes him and causes him to take his drinking a little
too far. He is still likable and charming, but with an
edge
that surprisingly fits him nicely.
Jennifer Ashley wields her pen like a sword when it comes
to
wit, and there is certainly no shortage here. From the
cheeky back and forth to the blistering set-downs, there
is
no phrase that is not meticulously placed for its very own
reason. This also applies to the wonderful cast of
characters that she has built up over the years in this
magnificent series. As a bonus, we get to see some of
those
characters play a part in this novella. Ian, Beth, Cam,
Ainsley, and Sinclair all make appearances in support of
Steven, and it feels like a joyous reunion every time.
Bottom Line: SCANDAL AND THE DUCHESS is a very quick read
that feels satisfying, not because it needed to be short,
but because readers will be grateful to get their
Mackenzie/McBride fix where ever they can get it, and this
story is a worthy fix indeed.
Scandal follows Rose Barclay, young widow of the Duke of
Southdown, wherever she goes. It's never her fault, but
newspapers love to write about the young woman from
Scotland, and the much older duke she married, who died on
their honeymoon. The duke left her with a large widow's
portion, now contested by his younger brother, who kicks
Rose out of the estate's dower house and uses it to kennel
his dogs.
Rose does not need to be found with a large, handsome Scot
passed out at her feet, fueling gossips and giving her
brother-in-law more ammunition. The Scot is Steven
McBride--a decorated soldier who is notorious for heavy
gambling and womanizing during his leave time. Steven is
happy to open his eyes and find the beautiful woman
standing
over him, and happy to help spirit her away. But the
journalists get wind and start a campaign to couple Rose
with the scandalous Steven McBride.
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