Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 10/14/2019 + 2617 more book reviews

Good book about two people with pain and secrets, who are very different and yet find a way to help each other. Madeline is a relatively new teacher at Mrs. Harris's school. She applied there after she and her father left Shropshire under a cloud. Dr. Prescott was a respected doctor until one of his patients died while he was using the new nitrous oxide during her treatment. The local baron, a particularly nasty and vicious man, is making trouble for the doctor and pushing to have him charged with murder. Madeline is desperate to clear her father's name and is determined to find the scientist who wrote about the use of nitrous oxide and ask for his help.

Anthony Dalton, Viscount Norcourt, recently inherited the title when his brother died. His niece's fate, thanks to the lack of a will, was left up to the courts to decide. There are two claimants for Tessa's care. First, Anthony's aunt and uncle, who Anthony is desperate to keep away from Tessa. He still bears the mental and emotional scars of the time he spent with them and dreads the thought of what they would do to Tessa. Then there is Anthony, a confirmed bachelor and notorious rake whose flaunting of Society's rules was a direct result of his treatment at their hands. He feels that getting Tessa into the right school is his best chance of proving that he has her best interests at heart. Unfortunately, most of the schools want nothing to do with him. Appealing to Mrs. Harris is his last chance.

I loved the first meeting between Madeline and Anthony. She is familiar with his reputation and fears he has ulterior motives. But once she learns about Tessa, she knows she must help get the girl away from the baron - the same one who threatens her father. She agrees to help him convince Mrs. Harris if he will consent to spend the next two weeks teaching classes in 'How to Avoid Rakes, Rogues, and Fortunehunters". Mrs. Harris is skeptical but agrees to give him a chance. I loved the back and forth between Madeline and Anthony as they work through the negotiations. It is immediately apparent that there are sparks between them.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Madeline and Anthony. Both are highly intelligent and have quick wits. Madeline knows that her attraction to Anthony is trouble waiting to happen, but she can't stop thinking about him. Anthony is equally attracted and determined to find a way to get Madeline into his bed without risking his custody battle. The more time they spend together, the stronger the flames grow. There are some great scenes of the two of them as their banter fans the fire between them. And when those flames become explosive, the heat between them is incredible. But both of them are also hiding secrets. Madeline hasn't told Anthony the truth of why she has made her demands for fear of his refusal to help. I got quite frustrated by her reticence as it showed a lack of trust in the man she was coming to love.

Anthony held on to his own secrets about why he was so determined to get Tessa away from his relatives. I ached for him as more of his past was revealed. The cruelty and abuse he suffered as a child still haunts him. I loved how Madeline pried those secrets out of him and did so with compassion rather than pity. When Madeline's deception came out, Anthony was understandably hurt and angry. I liked that, once the initial explosion was over, he was able to listen and understand. He also realized that if he was going to be able to help Madeline and save Tessa, he had to face his past first. I loved the difference it made in him. It also gave him some interesting ammunition for his final confrontation with his uncle. That confrontation was immensely satisfying, and I loved the follow-up of the epilogue.

The beginning of each chapter began with correspondence between Mrs. Harris and her school's benefactor, her "Cousin Michael." He comes across as a bit of a self-righteous prig, and I enjoyed seeing her push back when she didn't agree with him. Though Charlotte occasionally seemed judgmental, her protectiveness toward Madeline was real. I liked that she also came to believe in Anthony as well.

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