By Kristi Ann Hunter
As a new marquis, William heads to a small holding to retreat from the world for a little bit and find some peace as he renovates the house and takes on his new responsibilities. However, after arriving at the estate, he finds peace might not come so easily, as his bewildering housekeeper, Mrs. Brightmoor, alternates seems simple-minded and devious. He realizes she's hiding something, but getting her to tell him what is going on proves to be no easy task.
Daphne Blakemoor left London society, unwed and pregnant, more than a decade earlier. She made a nice life for herself, taking in the children of other women in similar situations, rearing them, and preparing for a life in service or trade. She quite enjoyed her life, but now that the estate is being inhabited by its owner, her meaningful work has come to an end and she has to adjust to being a housekeeper, which doesn't come easily to her for many reasons--not the least of which is the handsome, intriguing man who is now her employer and the fact that she needs to keep him from finding out about how she used his family's house twelve years and that her own illegitimate son is his spitting image.
Daphne's story was so captivating and she's a very interesting character--endearing and occasionally exasperating and very well-developed. William was slower to grow on me--but that's just because he was frustrated with Daphne so often early on! He's a good guy and I knew things would turn out well, and it's totally realistic that it took him a while to appreciate Daphne for who she is--because she took so long to let him see who she was. The plot is really interesting, and the dialogue was awesome--there were so many zingers that I just loved. There are so many heart-stealing secondary characters, and there are good (but not preachy) messages about forgiving oneself and finding oneself. Another great book from Kristi Ann Hunter.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Great review!
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