Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe...
Princess Luisa has devoted her life to duty, quietly preparing to succeed her father as ruler. Nothing, however, primed her to live on the run, disguised as a personal secretary to a notorious English scoundrel. The earl is just the man to help her reclaim her throne, but Luisa is drawn to her powerful employer in ways she never imagined…
Philip, Earl of Somerton, has spent six years married to a woman in love with another man—he refuses to become a fool due to imprudent emotions ever again. Only, as his carefully laid plans for vengeance falter, fate hands him hope for redemption in the form of a beautiful and determined young princess who draws him into a risky game of secrets, seduction, and betrayal. And while his cunning may be enough to save her life, nothing can save him from losing his heart…
The hero -- and I use that term loosely -- in this book spends approximately 50% of it married to another woman. While there's nothing sexual between the hero and heroine during that time, the hero isn't faithful. (And he has at least four bastards.) I struggled with liking him. The way he treated his wife sexually was appalling. Oh, he gave her pleasure alright, but pleasure doesn't make it okay. It made me feel rather icky.
Do I think he was the right kind of man to help Luisa regain her throne and rule? Sure. But as a romance novel hero, he left a lot to be desired for me, and that soured my experience with How to School Your Scoundrel.
I spent a good portion of the book wondering how the hero and his wife would part ways so as to allow him to marry Luisa (because, you know, that's how things work), and I can't say I was all that pleased with the outcome, even though it was certainly the nicest option.
