This gifted Scots author might as well call her works Matches made in Scotland, but this new series is titled Matches Made in Scandal and seems likely to be her most ambitious yet. Tales are planned for the great capitals of nineteenth century culture, from London to Vienna. The first is set in St. Petersburg, where our herbalist heroine treks from Hampstead with an offer of a post as governess. Indeed, her journey may take her FROM GOVERNESS TO COUNTESS.

Allison Galbraith has had her reputation tarnished. But nobody knows her in the glittering Russian city. Count Aleksi Derevenko needs a governess for his brother's three orphaned children, but he was expecting someone older and a good deal less pretty. He's a military man, who was too busy fighting Napoleon to wed. The previous governess, Madame Orlova, vanished abruptly, and Aleksi feels an obligation to find her. But the children's welfare comes first... not that they want a Scottish governess.

I was fascinated by the Winter Palace. With the war over, everyone feels able to dress in finery and entertain. And what a ball! As all the Royal Families of Europe were related, the Romanovs held court on a lavish scale and the Tsar Alexander had as many mistresses as he wished, including some from other countries. However, the times were famous -- or notorious -- for other reasons. As we learn, Aleksi suspects that an assassin is prowling the halls and gardens. The Count is staking his all on the herbalist being able to identify poisons.

I like that each of the characters is at odds with their own culture. The herbalist is barred from being a respected apothecary by the fact that she is female. The Count feels more at home in an army camp than a gilded reception room in a city built by serfs for vanity. Typically Allison is shown ministering to all levels of society with her healing skills. This enables us to build up a picture of the staff required to support opulent lifestyles.

Boats, barges, sleighs, and troikas are the modes of transport here, depending on the season. I really felt transported to St. Petersburg. Love draws the duo together swiftly, and loving is the same anywhere, with lavish settings and warm beds. This is an adult romance, between strong, passionate, mature people who have survived the worst that could happen and deserve happiness, just as all of Europe rejoices at the defeat of Bonaparte. Marguerite Kaye last captivated me with desert romances and now travels to a northerly setting full of splendor - and treachery. FROM GOVERNESS TO COUNTESS... well, it won't happen in two easy moves.