An Unlikely Countess (A Malloren Novel #11) by Jo Beverly
Historical Romance
March 1, 2011
Paperback
Signet

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “Are you a gamester? she asked. “Will you lose it all and leave me and the perhaps the children, in a place like White Rose Yard?”

“On my honor, no. Nor am I a drunkard, though I do as you know, enjoy drink.”

“So do I, “ she replied wistfully.

When Catesby Burgoyne rescues a woman from ruffians, he never imagines the ways this woman will change his life.

Prudence Youlgrave is more then a victim of ruffians. Her own brother has left her dissolute her upon marrying into money. When she is almost forced into a terrible marriage, Catesby rescues her again, with a proposal of his own.

But Catesby has a secret. A secret that could destroy his and Prudence’s marriage before it even starts.

Jo Beverly once again takes us on a delightfully romantic journey through Regency England and into the lives of the upper class that rule it. Filled with witty dialogue, strong personable characters, and hints of intrigue and scandal, An Unlikely Countess is a wonderful historical romance that captured me from page one.

Catesby (Cate) Burgoyne is the second son of the Earl of Malzard. Made to feel an outsider by his family, Cate purchases a commission in the army and leaves England. But Cate’s aversion to rules and regulations has him decommissioning out of the military and heading home for good. A chance meeting with Prudence Youlgrave leaves him feeling like he’s missing something in life. When his brother dies, leaving Cates the new Earl, he feels his life has been turned up side down. Besieged by his mother and sister in law to “marry well and not embarrass the family name” he begins his search for a bride. A second chance or perhaps fate intervenes and places him at the church where Pru is being forced to marry a brutish man. Cates impulsiveness and honor forces him to object to the marriage and offer up a story of a previous commitment with Pru.

Once the shock wears off, Pru and Cates are married off hastily (Pru’s previous fiancée hints at affections being exchanged) and Cates takes her to his ancestral home.

Our protagonists, Catesby (Cate) and Prudence (Pru) captivated me from my first meeting with them. Both strong and intelligent, the chemistry is apparent from their first meeting. Witty humorous banter keeps the storyline and their relationship flowing smoothly.

“Your a man. I’m still not well accustomed to men. Especially men like you.”

“Men like me?”
“Men like you…but I do see the advantages. If you want to come closer, I could become more accustomed.”

While you don’t see any actual scenes, Ms. Beverly adeptly shows us the passion and love that is awakening between them. The sexual tension is apparent.

I really liked that any misunderstandings were dealt with swiftly and in a realistic manner. Neither Cates nor Pru are ones to hide behind coy illusions and they work very hard at becoming friends before lovers.

Once Pru finds out Cates is an Earl, the second half of the book deals mainly with Pru trying to accustom herself to being a Countess and do everything in the correct way. Cates mother and sister in law aren’t kind, but Pru sticks to her guns and uses her humor and intelligence to smooth her path.

Our main conflict is a soft secondary story. In fact, while we see some of their villainous doings, we don’t see much of them physically beyond the first meeting. The resolution of this sub plot was anti climatic. Villain basically received a smack on the hand and told to behave.

All in all I found this a wonderfully light romantic filled with humor, romance, and just enough scandal to leave you cheering at the end for our adorable couple.

Rating: C+

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