Love soothes the deepest of scars.Spies and Lovers, Book 2Minerva Bellingham is at her wits’ end. Her younger brother, Simon, will have them penniless and on the streets if his extravagant gambling habit isn’t curtailed. An enormous debt to Lord Rafe Drummond is the final indignity.Signing over her dowry is their only choice. Until Lord Drummond suggests something much more scandalous. She can … suggests something much more scandalous. She can keep her dowry—in exchange for the Bellinghams working three months as a housemaid and stable boy.
Scarred from his service to the Crown, Rafe recognizes the young Simon Bellingham has the makings of a good duke. Minerva is a different story. Her pure, delicate beauty only underscores Rafe’s tarnished, bleak soul.
Yet he delights in cracking Minerva’s icy reserve to reveal a fiery, stubborn woman. And Minerva discovers the gruff master of Wintermarsh has the heart of a poet. But before they can find a future safe in each other’s arms, a menace from Simon’s licentious past slithers back into their lives, forcing Rafe to plan the most important rescue mission of his life.
Warning: Contains a paragon of the beau monde who gets the hang of polishing silver, and a master of the house who’d like her to make his bed—preferably with him in it. Also passion unleashed with the mere touch of a finger. Readers are encouraged to swoon.
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Steamy, sensual and romantic. I loved Rafe and Minerva reach their happy ending.
Minerva, as the elder sister, has always mothered her brother Simon. But when he loses twenty-three thousand pounds in one night’s gambling, putting her entire dowry at risk, Minerva begins to wonder if she’s done right by her brother. She travels to Rafe’s London townhome to negotiate payment of her brother’s losses. Rafe proposes that Minerva and Simon act as servants at his estate, Wintermarsh. If Minerva and Simon can stay and be his servants for three months, then Rafe will forgive Simon’s debt. After this beginning, the book is predictable but enjoyable. Minerva willingly takes on the role of house servant, but Simon pouts and chafes at being forced to work in the stables. And then Rafe and Minerva begin to fall in love …. Well, you know the rest.
Another brilliant story to continue the series
This is another brilliantly crafted story that is quite unique in it’s conception. The plot is one of emotional turmoil and unscrupulous foes. The main characters are portrayed with great determination to overcome their fears. Anybody who loves steamy historical romances that have a bit of suspense should find this book very entertaining
“A Brazen Bargain,” second in the “Lovers and Spies” series, was wonderful. Ms. Trentham’s words flow, drawing the reader into the scenes so that you feel as if you are there, watching the action. She is an excellent author!
My biggest problem was the author’s direction. The focus, I thought, was supposed to be geared more towards the brother. Which would have been more entertaining. However, this was more a love story. The brother was an afterthought. Still an ok read.
I state that this book is funny just for the descriptions of a Lady trying to do the duties of a servant and the mishaps that ensure.
quick easy read
I love historical romance, so I really love reading this book. The heroine has a strong character in this story and a smart one and she knows what she wants and she goes for it.
I have read numerous books about spies after deployment, but this one stands out for the unique story line. This is more than a “damaged” warrior dealing with his past; add a young woman scared from an indifferent childhood trying to protect a younger brother being led astray. The resulting story takes several turns; both main characters read each other better than they realize. I couldn’t put it down – give it a try!
Enjoyable story.
Very interesting , better than most. Hard to,put down.
When I read the premise of this book I thought it had promise. I was hoping it would keep the premise going a bit longer is my only fault with it, but I loved the a main characters and how their romance played out. My only real complaint is about the minor characters. A previous book started the hero’s sister, and she traipses back into this one with no real reason and then disappears just as fast. Other than marking this in the next book in the series I saw no real purpose for her being there, and I found her rather annoying. It like she needed to be forced in to mark this is the next tale. Fortunately she was only there for a couple pages.
I didn’t want this story to end!
I liked the story line, it was different and I enjoyed the read.
Great read loved it