I loved this book. The gradual development of the relationship of Hessian and Lily was charming. The resolution of Lily's troubles was a resounding success. ( )

Once again Grace Burrowes has managed to create a world with the most honorable and awkward gentlemen. In this case the Earl of Grampion is a widower who is in London to find a new wife and finds himself saddled with 3 wards - 2 boys in school and a young girl. They are the children of his neighbor. Into this new situation comes Miss Lily Ferguson who takes a liking to the young girl while attending a dinner party at the Earl's house.
Ms Burrowes has created a wonderful series about True Gentlemen - they tend to be older and wiser but also not given to rakish or scoundrelish ways. These are wholesome boy scouts and that gives them a definite charm to women and readers alike. Her books both in this series and in her Lonely Lords series center on the men in the story and gives the reader a different point of view from most Historical Romances. Her books are a delight to read and always provide excellent entertainment to the reader. ( )

I like this story even though it's not as steamy as I might prefer. Lily is an illegitimate daughter of a lady and she's posing as her half-sister at the insistence of her greedy uncle, Walter. The uncle plans to force Lily to marry her cousin (Walter's son) in order to get his hands on Lily's inheritance. Hessian executes a plan to free Lily of Walter's influence. ( )

Hessian Kettering, Earl of Grampion, has come to London to look for a wife. He's a widower who's first marriage was unsuccessful but had decided, with help from his brother Worth, that he needs heirs. A wife would also help with the three wards he's just acquired from the passing of his near neighbors. The boys are away at school for now, but Hessian is charmed by little Daisy. Lily Ferguson has a lot of common sense, is good with children, and much to the surprise of the rather staid Earl is also quite alluring to the widower.
Hessian is rather rigid, an honest, moral man who seems to have lost any sense of adventure. However, Lily has a secret that would make her anathema to the upright Earl who abhors any sign of scandal that might touch him or his family.
This book is just wonderful. The plot is fresh and a mystery when many Regency romances replay the same types of stories. The slow buildup to the romance of Lily and Hessian is believable; their predicaments are realistic, and Hessian's final solution is not only detailed but innovative. I really admire Ms. Burrowes, one of my favorite Regency and contemporary romance authors, and this book is one of her best. It doesn't hurt that many of my old favorite characters from her other books are included and make appearances here. I always enjoy seeing what St. Just and Emmie, Worth and Jacaranda, and others are doing with their lives after their own books.
Truly, this is a wonderful addition to the True Gentlemen series. ( )