efkoski

Secret Life of a Scandalous Debutante by Bronwyn Scott. ISBN- 978-0-373-29658-3 The Viscount Claims His Bride precedes this book. They are stand alone but it may help to read this one first to understand more about Valerian & Philippa. As this story is about Beldon Stratten who is Valerian's best friend and Philippa's brother. Beldon Stratten, the fourth Baron Pendennys, his life is all mapped out. He had worked the last ten years to restore the estates and get his affairs in order. Now he was wife hunting. He had a list of the type of wife he needed and he was at the beginning of the London season to find her. He would not be distracted by the alluring luscious back he was looking at. Such perfect shoulder curves and her raven black hair along with that beautiful neck. What a fantasy his mind went to. Then she turned and he recognized her as his brother-in-laws ward, Lilya Stefanov. She was not on his list and could not be. He could not take a dowry from Valerian and he did need a wife with wealth to help keep the estates in order. Yet he needed to go and see her. Lilya saw Beldon coming towards her. His kiss to her hand sent feelings through her that none of these other men did. And when they waltzed together it was wonderful. She had a secret to keep though and she would not risk love or marriage. She seen all her family murdered for the secret, all but her baby brother Constantine and herself survived in the escape from Negush. Too many lives depended on her as the keeper, she would not fail it was her duty. She could still enjoy Beldon for awhile though. Beldon set his eyes on an Earl's daughter. She would be trained to be a good mistress for his home and she had the dowry. Even if she did not boil his blood as one exotic young woman did. Beldon tried to stay away from Lilya but it seemed that was not so easy. Christoph Agyro, a member of a secret society, had a plan. He was sure Lilya had what he was sent for. He would woo her, marry her and take the prize for himself rather then return it to the Filiki Adamao. Women did not refuse his dark good looks and he established with her they were fellow countryman who both lost families in the war back home. Only she seemed to have eyes for the Baron more than she did him. That would not do. A story of dangerous secrets, plans gone awry, greed turning into madness, unexpected love and what one would give up for such love. Contains sexual situations Received from NetGalley for review

2022-10-11 13:27