Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, or as some would call him
the Beast of Blackthorne Hall, is a man whose strong belief in honor and
loyalty has branded him a monster in more ways than one. Miss Harriet
Pomeroy, a vicar’s daughter, is a woman of passion--passion for
fossils that is.
When Gideon receives an urgent summons to Upper Biddleton, he soon
discovers that Miss Pomeroy expects him to roust a thief who is using one
of Harriet’s fossil caves to stash “loot, booty, swag ... stolen goods.”
While annoyed at the forceful manner in which Harriet summoned him, Gideon
is intrigued by the mystery and by Harriet, the one woman who does not
appear disturbed by the Beast’s black reputation. The two proceed to set
a trap to catch the thief, but unfortunately get caught instead in a
compromising situation. To save Harriet’s reputation, Gideon announces
their engagement.
Thus the story moves to London where Harriet is sent to acquire the
“polish” acceptable for a Viscount’s wife. While there, Gideon grows more
entranced by Harriet’s love and faith in him even despite the many doubts
of friends and family that a man of Gideon’s reputation will actually
marry Harriet. The two do marry, though Gideon stubbornly refuses to
acknowledge his love for Harriet. Unfortunately questions regarding the
stolen goods in Upper Biddleton and old enemies soon surface, threatening
Gideon and Harriet’s precarious relationship.
This was one of my first Amanda Quick novels to read and it is one of my
favorites. Gideon, while still the JAK male, strong and masculine, is not
as overpowering as some of her earlier heroes. Likewise, Harriet is the
essential Krentz heroine with both intellect and strong moral convictions.
This is a book to be read, then read again.
Piper Taylor
