"Superb Victorian romance"

Renowned as a flirt with no employment history, a desperate Lady Caroline Ritter suddenly needs a job with no prospects. However, the Distinguished Academy of Governesses hires her to teach foppish loser Jude Durant what a woman desires.

Jude still works undercover for the Foreign Office after years on the continent playing the fool, but his current mission is to learn who is behind the assassination plan to kill the Queen. He keeps his persona going although he knows he needs no lessons on how to pleasure a lady. However, besides struggling to hide his real self, he finds he wants to be the teacher's pet as he is very attracted to Caroline, who surprises him with her intelligence, wit, and depth of character. Neither expected love to spring up between the tutor and the pupil, but first he must complete the mission while also keeping his beloved pawn safe.

Though there is a degree of suspense in this superb Victorian romance, the tale clearly belongs to the lead couple as the teacher tries to train the student who knows he must continue his masquerade for the sake of Her Majesty, but needs to teach the art of lovemaking to his instructor. The story line is amusing as these two excellent characters battle over who teaches who as love makes both winners. Christine Dodd writes a fun tale that focuses on the gender war for supremacy in and out of the bedroom with an assassination plot to add a hint of danger to the participants.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 20, 2005

Summary

Learn to Flirt in 10 Lessons or Less!

Miss Caroline Ritter, accomplished flirt, acknowledged beauty, and ruined gentlewoman, offers lessons to any rich, noble lord too inept to attract a wife. Discard your silly affectations and your garish clothing! Learn the art of witty conversation, elegant dancing, equestrian feats and irresistible seduction at the opera! With Miss Ritter's help, you can become the most sought-after aristocrat at the ball!

Send your request to the Distinguished Academy of Governesses.

Please, absolutely no devastatingly attractive men with hidden agendas, such as secret missions or vengeful plots against evil villains—specifically not Jude Durant, the earl of Huntington, the most handsome, the most covert, the most dangerous of all the aristocrats in Regency London.