A Lady's Trust

Amelia Pence is in an impossible situation. She was raised by her late mother and late stepfather who doted on her. She lived her life in the country, and her parents raised her in the country as a proper lady. Their goal was to eventually take her to London where she would spend a Season dancing at balls while meeting the proper men eligible to marry her. Unfortunately, her parents died before that could happen. Amelia’s parents made her stepbrother, Viscount Newton, her guardian. However, he spent her dowry and any other money available to him on gambling and womanizing. There was no money left for Amelia’s Season in London, or even to take care of her in his home .Plus, he owes a huge gambling debt to Daniel Lyon. So Newton comes up with a horrific solution to all of his problems. He “sells” Amelia to Lyon to serve as his mistress. Amelia is so disgusted at Newton’s betrayal that she runs away. She climbs into an open window of a building that turns out to be The Rose Room. The Rose Room is a gambling club that is owned by Lord Driscoll and his two brothers. Driscoll catches her as she falls into the room. Driscoll’s character fits the definition of a nerd. Even though he is a handsome Lord, he wears glasses and is an accountant. He does the books for The Rose Room, and rarely goes out in public. He chooses not to become involved in the social life of his peers. However, he is instantly attracted to Amelia and chooses to help her. Based on her body language, he knows that she was raised as a proper lady, and that she is in trouble. Amelia is unable to trust any man since her own step-brother turned against her. Therefore, she refuses to tell Driscoll why she ran away. In spite of that, Driscoll offers her a job as a Dealer in his casino. I love Driscoll’s character because he is not good at social amenities. It is fun to watch him as he blunders through his interactions with Amelia. He has no idea how to communicate, or even express his feelings, to a woman. Amelia has her own problems to deal with. She does not want to reveal her story to Driscoll because she is afraid he will send her back to Newton. She, too, is very attracted to Driscoll, but cannot reveal her feelings because she knows she must leave. The big surprise comes near the end of the story when Newton and Lyon eventually encounter Amelia. Their stupidity would be laughable if they were not so dangerous. This is a great historical romance western with two interesting, but loveable characters. It also has a complex plot that clearly the plight of women that time. They had no independence; they always “belonged” to someone else.

I really enjoyed reading about Amelia and Driscoll. Amelia on the run from her evil step-brother literally plops right into Driscoll's life. Despite Amelia's anonymity, she is still her sweet self and gets to know Driscoll. Although she does not trust any man Driscoll tempts her to divulge her secrets. Driscoll is a second son and a gentleman all the way. He surmised immediately that Amelia was a gently bred lady but she would not confirm it. For some reason he felt protective of her and chose to give her food, shelter and clothing. Also gave her a job. They became very close to the point that her name did not matter to Driscoll. She was a quality woman, kind and thoughtful, hardworking, friendly and got along well with others. He wanted to court her. But he could do nothing until he knew who she really was. In the meantime, her step-brother and his crony found her and kidnapped her. While separated from Driscoll she realized she loved him and regretted not telling him the truth so he could come save her. At the same time, Driscoll was losing money from his establishment and the trail led to Amelia. He refused to believe it. But his brother Dante kept pushing him to confront her. He refused because he knew deep in his heart she was not capable of stealing. An exciting action-adventure romance. An excellent read. I do recommend it. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. Reasons I enjoyed this book: Entertaining Romantic Wonderful characters

I LOVED the Rose brothers when I first met them in A Scandalous Portrait and this lovely addition to the series just further cements that. Driscoll is a delight and for his HEA to drop into a second-story window of the Rose Room, almost into his lap, is just the right thing. The Rose Room is the most exclusive gambling hell in London – maybe even all of England – and it is owned by three brothers. Sebastian Rose (Hunt), the Earl of Huntington, isn’t exactly a silent partner, but he isn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the hell since that would reflect upon his title. Driscoll Rose is a mathematical genius who keeps the books and does the hiring for the club. Dante Rose is a by-blow who was fully acknowledged by his father and was raised alongside Hunt and Driscoll. Dante was always laid-back, cool, calm, and collected. He handled those delicate situations that were about to turn sour. Oh – and lest I forget – all three were also agents for the Crown. Driscoll Rose spends all of his time working – either at the Rose Room or on missions for the Crown. He is definitely NOT a rake, he doesn’t keep a mistress or use light skirts. He isn’t celibate, but he isn’t a profligate either. He’s working on the Rose Room’s books late one night when he hears a thump – then another thump. As he investigates, he sees a slim, waif of a lad who has just dropped into the room from the window. Or…is it? Lady Amelia is running for her life, almost literally. She ran away with nothing except the clothes on her back – and those weren’t even her own. With no money, no clothes, nothing she can sell, and no friends in London she is in real trouble. When the skies open and nearly drown her, she seeks refuge inside an open window that is near enough to a tree branch that she can just make it in. She’s watched the window and is sure the room is empty. Or…is it? Driscoll is intrigued by the young woman and is sure she is in serious trouble because he is positive she is a Lady and ONLY dire circumstances would have a Lady running around London unchaperoned, dressed as a boy, and climbing into windows. He can’t let her go back out into the storm – and right into the arms of trouble. What can he do? Well, he can offer her a job in the club. Amelia gives a false name and will tell Driscoll nothing of her problem. After all, he is a male and she’s learned males cannot be trusted. When her trouble finds her again, and she ends up right back in those dire straits, Driscoll has no information to help him search for her. It takes all of the combined efforts of the Rose brothers to rescue Amelia so she and Driscoll can get their HEA. I loved both Driscoll and Amelia and their story is a lovely one. The only thing I didn’t love was that the villain – and believe me he was one of the vilest – not only didn’t get any punishment, he got REWARDED. I absolutely detest it when that happens in a book. I can definitely recommend this book – and I would read it again – except if I read it again, in my head I’d rewrite what happens to the villain. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.