London, 1810
Former actress Georgiana Knight always believed she and her brother were illegitimate—until they learn their parents were married, making them heirs to a great estate. To prove their claim, Georgy needs to find evidence of their union by infiltrating a ton house party as valet to Lord Nathaniel Harland. Though masquerading as a boy is a challenge, it pales in comparison to sharing such intimate quarters with the handsome, beguiling nobleman.
Nathan is also unsettled by Georgy’s presence. First intrigued by his unusual valet, he’s even more captivated when he discovers Georgy’s charade. The desire the marriage-shy earl feels for his enigmatic employee has him hoping for much more than a master-servant relationship…
But will Nathan still want Georgy when he learns who she truly is? Or will their future be destroyed by someone who would do anything to prevent Georgy from uncovering the truth?
Georgy and her brother, Harry, are trying to find proof of their parents’ marriage. If they find proof of said marriage her brother will then be the Earl of Dunsmore. But there are many obstacles standing in their way, not the least of the “acting” Earl of Dunsmore. Harry finally finds information that sends him off to Yorkshire to find the church where the marriage was supposedly performed. Georgy’s friend Lily then overhears two very important points of information. Number one is that Dunsmore is having a house party for the Christmas holiday. The other is that Lord Harland, who has been invited to the Dunsmore gathering, is looking for a valet. Lily then talks Georgy into posing not only as a man but as a valet for Harland.
Much to Georgys’ surprise she is hired on the spot and given a month’s probation. She ends up proving herself as more than competent as a valet. But she still needs to infiltrate Dunsmore’s family home during Christmas! But what happens when Harland not only finds out about Georgy’s secret but finds her trying to break into Dunsmore’s private office! Will he turn her over and if not, what will her consequences be?
I think I have a think for characters posing as others. I’m always attracted to this kind of story but it doesn’t always work out well for me. Well this book definitely worked for me in a number of different ways.
Georgy in this story was just wonderful. She played her part as a man to perfection but still we saw the feminine side of her. She grew up in the theatre so seeing men in the altogether really didn’t effect her all that much – until she saw Nathan. He was just oh so nice to look at she couldn’t help herself from staring at times. Since Harland was like any other aristocrat he really paid no attention to the servants and therefore that left Georgy plenty of time to look him over. I loved that Georgy got to see Harland in almost all parts of his life. She saw him at his worst and his best and though they didn’t talk hardly at all until later in the book she saw him for who he really was.
Nathan was such a great hero. He started out as a stuffy aristo but really, that’s how he had been raised. When it came down to life in the ton and love he chose love and how could I not love that about him?
I’m not sure I’m reviewing this job very well but the book was so good and had so many parts and pieces to it I can’t possibly tell you all about it in a review without telling the whole book.
The story is quite lovely as is the writing. This being Chambers first I know it certainly won’t be her last. It’s a fantastic story and one definitely worth reading.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Lovely review Tracy!
Thanks, Orannia. It's a good book! 🙂