"Fine Georgian romance"
In 1763 wealthy Damaris Myddleton is stunned when Marquess
Ashart proposes to poor companion Genova Smith instead of
her. She had set her sights on him and thought he would
marry her if for no other reason than he needs money.
Realizing she made a fool of herself, she flees, but is
stopped by Ash's pal impoverished former soldier Octavius
Fitzroger, who persuades her to hold her head up high.
She turns to her host Lord Rothgar, family patriarch and
asks him to be her guardian instead of the elderly
avaricious Henry Malloren; he agrees with the stipulation
that she serve as companion to Genova. Rothgar also hired Fitzroger to keep Ash safe from an
unknown assailant. As Fitz watches over Ash and Damaris
spends time with Genova, they become acquainted and begin
to fall in love, which interferes with his task. It helps
though frustrates Fitz that she wants a title so he is A
MOST UNSUITABLE MAN for a social climber like her. The latest Malloren tale is a fine Georgian romance but
readers at first will be very cold towards the heroine
until she is endangered. The story line is fast-paced on
two sub-plots that of the romance between Fitz and Damaris
and the attempts to kill Ash. Jo Beverley effortlessly
brings these two themes together along with the return of
cast from previous novels into a finely honed historical. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 25, 2005
Jo Beverley's magnificent Georgian novels have made her one
of today's most beloved storytellers. Now, the New York
Times bestselling author presents a new novel set in the
scintillating, dangerous Malloren world....
SummaryDamaris Myddleton never expected to inherit a vast fortune—
but she's ready to use it to buy the most eligible title in
England. When disappointed by a marquess, she simply sets
her sights higher, on a duke. But then there's plain Mr.
Fitzroger, the dashing but penniless adventurer who first
saves her from social disaster, and then saves her life.
Now, trapped in mystery, danger, and forbidden intimacy,
Damaris fights not to
surrender her freedom and her heart to a most unsuitable
man...
| 
