The Leopard Prince: Number 2 in series (Princes Trilogy, #2)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

It is a universal truth that a woman - especially an heiress - must be in desperate need of a husband. Lady Georgina Maitland is the exception. For her, spinsterhood has stood her in good stead, with a steady inheritance, a manor of her very own, and, of course, her independence. But to run a manor, she needs a steward. Everyone knows that servants have no gender - and really a land steward was just a superior sort of servant. It's just that Harry Pye, her new steward, is a man. A very nice looking man. And not sexless at all. In fact, it would have to be just the opposite. And can she help that the man has beautiful eyes and such nice hands?
The only trouble is that everyone in the area is convinced that Harry is a killer - of sheep. It's just plain impossible to have a discreet affair when things keep getting in the way. With the farmer's livelihood being poisoned, the neighbouring landowner waiting to hang Harry, and three brothers on the warpath, it's all Georgina can do to keep her head above water - and Harry's out of the noose.

• ISBN10: 0446618489
• ISBN13: 9780446618489
• Publish Date: 3 May 2007 (first published 1 January 2007)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Grand Central Publishing
• Format: Paperback (A-Format (178x111 mm))
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Stephanie]

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter



Lady Georgina Maitland is eight and twenty and the idea of marriage horrifies her. She is outspoken and isn't ruled by the social expectations of her time. Her aunt left her a great amount of land with the stipulation that no man may step in and take responsibility for it. George takes in interest in her land and wants to accompany her land steward to her country home to see for herself the day to day tasks that must be taken care of. She finds what she very least expected to find at her country home: love.

Harry Pye has certainly not had an easy life. As a child, he was the gamekeeper's son with a wealthy household. He loved helping his Da and wondering around the grounds as a young boy. All of that changed one night and both Harry and his father ended up in the poorhouse. Through hard work and good social networking Harry has worked his way up the servant ladder to Lady Georgina Maitland's land steward. Someone has been attacking the livestock on the estate neighboring Lady Georgina's and framing Harry. He doesn't know why but he cannot afford to loose his position in the Maitland home. Harry launches his own investigation to figure it out. Will his new employer trust in him or follow through with society dictates and fire him without any evidence?

"After the carriage wreck and a bit before the horses ran away, Lady Georgina Maitland noticed that her land steward was a man."

With an opening sentence like that, how can this book be anything but exceptional? Watching George pursue Harry was so amusing. She knew what she wanted and society rules be damned. Harry is actually the one who tried to keep a sense of decorum in the relationship and watching him try to fight off George's advances brought a smile to my face several times. This romance was truly a heart tugging one and the mystery of the livestock attacks added so much to the book and it certainly was the last person I expected. Hoyt knows how to pen a beautiful romance. The secondary characters were all wonderful and it made me wish for books of their own. I cannot recommend enough Elizabeth Hoyt to any true fan of historical romance. Trust me, she is one you do not want to miss.