A true gothic set in 1840s England.

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Product Description

Who is this man?

The Duke of Thanet may have hired her as a governess to his six-year-old son, but there is something . . . different about the devilish rogue standing before her today. He seems to study her with an intensity she never noticed before, and he is certainly more charming than the last time they encountered each other. Was there always an alluring glint in his dark eyes? But the duke has a notoriously scandalous reputation, and Meriel will not let herself succumb.

Masquerading as the duke was not the simple solution Richard O'Neill had envisioned. When his ailing half-brother, the real duke, asked him to protect his young heir from a greedy enemy, Richard agreed. But he never thought he'd be attracted to the inquisitive governess, or that each moment in her intoxicating presence would tempt him beyond all reason. And letting down his guard could prove dangerous . . . especially to Richard's own heart.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #420167 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-01
• Released on: 2006-06-27
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

About the Author

After a detour through fitness instructing and computer programming, USA Today bestselling author Gayle Callen found the life she'd always dreamed of as a romance writer. Her novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award, and finaled in the National Readers' Choice Awards.

Gayle lives in Central New York with her three children, her dog Apollo, and her husband, Jim the Romance Hero.

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Customer Reviews

Fun installment by Callen
While many of the reviewers have mentioned this is a well known and used plot line I think Callen adds another wonderful book to the genre. She makes her herorines spunky and not pushovers as many do, and she doesn't let the men get away with too much. I think if you like historical romances give this a try as well as her other books.

Meriel is in sudden need of a job to help support her mother and sisters. As the daughter of a once well to do banker, who died leaving them ruined, a governess is the job she is most suited for. She is interviewed by the Duke of Thanet and hired. While she had been initially curious about the Duke she is now down right intrigues there is definitely something different about him. Even his son comments that he is around more than he normal, and more interested in what he is doing.

Richad O'Neill is the "bastard" older half brother to the Duke of Thanet. When the Duke's life appears to be in jeopardy he agrees to masquerade as him to help find out who is bound and determined to kill not only the Duke but his young heir. Looking enough like the duke this should be easy to pull off. But, he had not figured on the attraction he found to the new governess. It is making it hard for Richard to act the rogue, and flamboyant man when he wants to act as the levelheaded thoughtful person he really is.

When the young heir figures out that Richard isn't really his father, as he takes him fishing which his "real dad" would never do he is sworn to secrecy. But, as young children do he eventually lets it slip to Meriel. It is partially reliefs to Meriel as she can't believe she is so drawn to the notorious rouge and has let him not only kiss her but more. On the other had Meriel is furious that she has been tricked. That is until she finds out her young charge is in danger at which point she joins in and works to keep him safe.

Truely Disapointing
What happened to this book. Mrs. Callen writes fairly decent novels, no she is not one of my favorites but her books are usually good light reads. But this book is just disapointing. The H/H I felt had no chemistry, no deeper feelings, no trust nothing but two boring characters thrown into a non-supsensfull plot. Meirel was uptight, pushy for a governess and hung up on not being smart enough to figure out that her parents had financial problems before there downfall. Richard semed a little better but not much. There was no background information, nothing to show about his true character besides him disguising himself as the duke. He portrayed the duke so much that I never got to know him as a person. And the problem with Meriel about her trust issue was just stupid. It was discussed for one paragraph and then instantly over. You would think if it was such a major concern throughout the whole book that it would have required more than just mentioning it to Richard for it to have closure. But in this book everything seems to go wrong. And lastly were is the suspense. There is none. You keep reading and hoping that the ending would make it worth it but again you are sadly mistaken. Save your money. Save your time.

Not Bad...
This was my first experience with this author. I found this to be an enjoyable read. I would definitely read this author again. If you enjoy Alexander, Laurens, Lindsey, and Woodiwiss you will enjoy this book.