This was an interesting read with lovely characters from disparate backgrounds finding love and acceptance. The supporting characters such as Kip, Pierre and Jane were funny and interesting, but the villain left me scratching my head. Yes, he was a villain, but he thought he was doing right – well – right by villain standards anyway. I think that, in the end, I had more questions than answers – but I am a curious person so maybe that is why.

Lady Calpurnia Radclyffe, the Viscountess St. Alban knows she is not attractive nor desirable – after all, she’s been told that often enough throughout her life. Everybody seemed to get what they wanted from her marriage except her and now she is a widow and has been for the last two years. She remained at Wyldcombe Grange because she was determined to see it prosperous. She wants to live there and manage the estate forever. She seemed to have been dismissed and forgotten by the new Viscount – until she was summoned to London.

Captain John Nylander, of dubious parentage, was raised with Jake, the new Viscount St. Alban and they are still best friends. Jake knows of Nylander’s longing to have land of his own rather than constantly being at sea, so he plans to sell an unentailed property to John if he wants it. Nylander, because of his parentage, never feels he is good enough for any but the lowliest of individuals and he certainly doesn’t feel worthy of praise or love. So, although he has the looks of a god, he doesn’t feel that any woman could ever want him for himself.

When Nylander falls to the floor (before he can hear Jake’s offer), unconscious due to malaria, Jake orders Calpurnia to take Nylander to the Grange with her so he can heal. She decides to conceal Jake’s offer from Nylander because she wants to buy the Grange herself – even though she can’t afford it – it is £100,000, which is in the tens of millions in today’s £’s. Then, she makes a deal with the devil and the race is on!

The more time Calpurnia and Nylander spend together, the more they come to respect each other – and – even though neither recognizes or admits it – care for each other. Can they get past Calpurnia’s deceit and find their HEA? You’ll need to read the book to see all of the twists and turns they find on their journey.

The story had the full potential to be a 5-star read, but it just didn’t live up to that. First, I had to wonder how the pampered daughter of a merchant learned so much about running an estate AND performing all of the tasks on that estate even though they were very varied. She was raised to marry into the peerage and be a lady by all of the ton standards, so when, where and how did she learn all of that – it just isn’t probable. Nor was her manner of dress, speech, etc. Just not believable. Then – how did she contact the pirate so quickly after returning to the Grange – and then why did she have to ask how to contact him again? Confusing. Then, I had to wonder about women not being able to own property in that period – how was she going to own the Grange – and why wasn’t the new Viscount making arrangements for her care since he would now be responsible for her – and he was an honorable man.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )