All of London is abuzz with the return of the utterly alluring, recently widowed Diane Benchley. Will she remarry? What will she do with her late husband’s fortune? Sociey is shocked by her announcement—at the Grand Ball, of all places!—that she plans to open an exclusive gentleman’s gaming club in the family mansion. But no one is more stunned than the Marquis of Haybury, Oliver Warren.
Years ago, Oliver and Diane shared a private indiscretion. Now Diane threatens to reveal Oliver’s most ungentlemanly secrets…unless he agrees to help her. A notorious gambler—and rake—Oliver is overqualified to educate Diane in the ways and means of running her establishment. But striking a deal with Diane might just be the biggest risk Oliver has ever taken. This time, the only thing he has to lose is his heart…
This is a delightful book set within an interesting setting. I enjoyed Diane and her bold attitude and her cleverness for opening a gaming club with all female members (besides a few burly footman) where the females are treated just as females and not expected to be anything else unless they choose too. There were so little choices for woman born on the wrong side of the blanket or in other unfortunate circumstances, not all of them want to be companions or governesses, that Diane sort of becomes a refuge of sorts for these ladies. And since Diane clearly states all the rules up front for treatment of the women within the club, the gentleman behave as such. But before she can even start up her club, she needs funds as her late husband was a heavy gambler and left her badly in debt. When circumstances force her to turn to Oliver, she reluctantly does so and the sparks from their past fan back alive.
Oliver ran off after their passionate affair shortly after Dianes husbands death and it devastated Diane but at the same time, made her stronger. Though Diane thinks Oliver left so abruptly to go home to claim his new title, Oliver left for an all together deeper reason that he refuses to acknowledge and leaves these two spitting fire at each other! Oliver is forced to help Diane open her club and together they gradually see how much they can help each other to make a grand success. They do have an issue with Dianes former brother-in-law as the home she is using for the club was to be his and he sets about to prove that Diane forged documents to secure the house. But did she truly forge signatures and if she did, how will they stop it from becoming public knowledge? Together, Oliver and Diane begin to reacquaint themselves and try to find the brief love they once shared all those years ago. If you enjoy stories about past lovers forced back together and the heat is still there all set within a unique setting, grab this one! 4 stars
Side note: I truly hope Suzanne Enoch updates her website soon as it is very out of date. There is no mention of this book that just came out and no info on the upcoming books in the series. I like to go to an authors website to see what is upcoming in a series so its a bit of a disappointment when there is nothing on the site. Real life could be getting in the way but I still feel like it is important to have a semi up to date website. And the cover....it just does not match this book at all, and really, neither does the title. Diane has black hair and wears black dresses for most of the book...never white. She is bold and passionate and mysterious and this cover just doesn't match her in my opinion. It is very pretty but just a bit wrong for this book.
The Scandalous Brides (taken from cover of book)
Number of books...uncertain?
Seducing an Impossible Rogue March 27, 2012
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