Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Swooning Virgins Society #3
Publication Date: 6/1/21
Number of Pages: 320

This was a delightfully entertaining, fast-paced, well-written story. I absolutely loved both of the main characters, and it was also fun to have a visit with the main characters from previous books. The Prologue nicely introduces the two main characters and to my delight, it also has an epilogue – way to go Anna Bradley!

Georgiana Harley was the only one of Lady Clifford’s girls who happened to be home when the Duchess of Kenilworth came to call. During the call, Lady Clifford and Georgiana learned that the duchess was requesting them to investigate what had happened to Clara Beauchamp who mysteriously disappeared about six years previous. Since the duchess’s patronage could greatly benefit their school, they readily accepted the task. As part of her request, the duchess insisted that nobody could know that she was seeking information about Clara – or anything else about the investigation. That particularly applied to her brother Benedict Harcourt, the Earl of Haslemere – and it also applied to her husband, the Duke of Kenilworth. Secrecy was of the utmost importance. Georgiana begins her investigation at the unlikeliest of places for her – a masque ball. As someone who is bookish and detests the aristocracy, the last place she wants to be is at a ball filled with them.

Benedict had noticed something was off with both his nephew, Freddy, and his sister, Jane, but neither confided anything in him, so he did his best to ignore it. Ignoring it became impossible after conversations he overheard at a masque ball on his first night back in London. He’ll do whatever he has to do; step on anybody’s toes; run roughshod over anybody he has to in order to assure his sister and nephew are safe and happy. He tries to insinuate himself into Georgiana’s investigation, but she’s having none of it – until he makes her an offer she cannot refuse.

Benedict and Georgiana form an uneasy alliance – neither really wanting the other involved, but since they cannot get around it, they will work together. Until – well – things aren’t exactly uneasy anymore and a relationship begins to form and grow. Will they be able to survive the investigation? There is more to it than readily meets the eye and now they’ve placed themselves and others in danger with the questions they’ve asked.

You will absolutely adore Benedict, the rogue who really wasn’t, and Georgiana, the mathematician without a heart, who found she actually had a very loving nature. There are two delightful little urchins, Sarah and Susannah, who open – and close – the book, and you will laugh and smile at their antics.

I can definitely recommend this book. It is a wonderfully entertaining read with delightful characters and a fast-paced and interesting story. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

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