Grace Burrowes has a way with men. She writes them with such perfect description that you can’t help but love them. In a genre filled with rakes, rogues, and scoundrels Grace writes about Gentlemen – not just by title or status but by action. Her men are good, kind, honorable, loving, generous and of course handsome.
In this addition to the Lontey Lords Series we once again meet Ashton Fenwick, illegitimate son of the Scottish Earl and Countess of Kilkenney. Though born on the wrong side of the blanket, Ashton was always raised as a son of the house and though he could not inherit, he was raised with all the privilege of an Earl’s son.
As an illegitimate son, Ashton has worked for a living as a Steward – where he met some of the well-loved characters of previous books. Now, his younger brother tells him that here has been a mistake. His parents had been secretly married all those years before and Ashton, not Ewan, was the true Earl. While his younger brother had been doing a wonderful job as Earl, he had not been able to produce the male heir every Earl’s family needs. So, to reduce the stress on his sister-in-law, if for no other reason, Ashton gives in and accepts his fate.
Three years later, Ashton finds himself in London for the season for one reason – to find a bride who will give him sons. Through a twist of fate, a small boy picks Aston’s pocket and he meets Mrs. Matilda Bryce who stops the boy and the boy himself, who turns out to be a young girl named Helen. As it happens, Mrs. Bryce rents out rooms. Ashton makes the decision to lay low for a short time and rents a room in her house. He also takes Helen under his wing and hires her as his general factotum – a jack of all trades. Though he has a large apartment at the Albany (the place for single men of the ton) he is happier in simple settings. Matilda doesn’t know that he is an Earl and Ashton doesn’t know that she is a fugitive from justice.
As the two of them dance around their feelings and secrets it is inevitable that they fall in love. But, with a murder sentence hanging over her head, Matilda isn’t free to love or marry. Fortunately, Ashton is a true gentleman and won’t sit by idly while the woman he loves is in trouble. He will move heaven and earth to solve her problem.
No couple deserves a Happily ever after more than these two and together with little Helen, they work to get it. The conclusion to the story is even better that I would have imagined and Ashton truly showed that he is a Lord to be reckoned with.
Ms. Burrowes has once again produced an amazing love story with realistic characters and heart-warming as well as heart-wrenching scenes. IF you’ve read other books in this series, you will want to pick this one up. If you haven’t read any other books you will still enjoy this story as a stand-alone book. ( )

One of the best of her recent books and I pretty much love them all. Interesting characters and a plot line that moves right along. Plus I love when some of my favorite characters from earlier books show up again in a story.
Ashton has been working as his brother's steward. Although older h was considered illegitimate until a marriage certificate is found that makes him the Earl of Fenton despite him not wanting the title.
Three years later, the new Scottish lord is in London to find a wife. Dreading the upcoming season, he hides out at the boarding house of Mrs. Matilda Bryce. She has a secret of her own and Ashton is soon working to prove her innocent as well as falling in love with the intrepid lady.
Benjamin and Maggie Hazelton show up, but my favorite is a new character, Helen, a young pickpocket who ends up as Ashton's 'general factorum'. She provides many moments of levity in this enjoyable romance. ( )