"Excellent Regency romance!"

Poor relative, paid companion, spinster, thus is Abigail Parkinson viewed by the world. When Abigail inherits a small manor from a distant relative, she rejoices - independence is finally within her grasp! However, her plans to sell Sibel Hall and purchase a small cottage are soundly thwarted by the Hall's unearthly inhabitant, Sir Boundefort. The specter makes his unwelcome appearance, wailing and moaning, every time a prospective buyer tours the hall, frightening off everyone. So Abigail is left to cool her heels in her haunted house along with her three dotty cousins, whom she's apparently inherited along with Sibel Hall. (Who you gonna call?)

Christian Reade, Viscount Moreland, has a formidable, although somewhat undeserved, reputation for ferreting out unwanted apparitions. At his grandfather's insistence, Christian comes to Abigail's aid. He doesn't believe in ghosts and attempts to explain Sir Boundefort in a logical and corporeal manner. The ghost, however, proves to be as elusive as he is troublesome, refusing to be routed by the viscount, no matter his reputation. So Christian is also left in limbo at Sibel Hall.

Inexplicably, Christian finds himself attracted to Abigail, whom he secretly dubs "The Governess." He divides his time between ghost-hunting and indulging in erotic fantasies of Abigail, which involve tossing the strict, staid woman over his shoulder and carrying her off somewhere to be ravished. Despite her starchy demeanor, Abigail's daydreams rival Christian's. Is it any wonder Sir Boundefort is in no immediate danger of being found out?! And so the unlikely couple search for their phantom high and low, indoors and out, and finally come upon him in the most unlikely of places. And discover their heart's desires in the bargain.

I've long been a fan of Ms. Simmons, who has many Harlequin Historical romances under her belt. An excellent writer with a real feel for the Regency period, this new book will delight her legions of loyal fans and new readers alike. One quibble that has nothing to do with the author - who's the woman in the yellow dress depicted on the cover? Surely not "The Governess" who favors black?

Reviewed by Sue Burke
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted May 16, 2003

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Summary

In this Regency romp, Viscount Moreland is a reluctant ghost-router, having debunked a haunted house quite by accident. Although he wants nothing further to do with any specters, he is inundated with requests for assistance, including one particular post that finds him offering his services to the intriguing Miss Parkinson of Sibel Hall.