After caring for a crotchety countess, Patience Ramsey wants a more purposeful position. So, when Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency offers her the post of assistant to amateur apothecary Augusta Orwell, Patience jumps at the chance. Then her new employer introduces her at an Easter house party as the bride-to-be of her nephew Sir Harold Orwell. Miss Thorn’s cat Fortune may approve of … Sir Harry, but Patience has no interest in borrowing the handsome baronet. She’s had her heart trampled on by false promises before.
Sir Harry has enough on his hands trying to restore the family name while spying for the English against the French. But the pretty Patience could cover for him when he must ply his trade during the house party, so he convinces her to agree to the charade. As Harry’s work brings danger closer, he begins to realize Patience embodies everything he could want in a wife. Can he convince her to overlook the scandals surrounding him and exchange their false engagement for a true love?
This sweet, clean Regency romance is the sequel to Never Doubt a Duke. Fortune’s Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.
Here’s a taste:
“What happened?” Patience asked, plucking the fabric away from the cut on Harry’s arm.
“Caught myself on a briar on the way home,” he said, watching her.
“I would commend you on your ability to lie,” Patience said, “but it’s not a convincing lie. No briar, sir, cuts through a sturdy wool coat and muslin shirt. I cannot tend to the wound unless I can see all of it. Remove your shirt, please.”
It was likely the urgency that made her speak so boldly. It was likely his injury that made him obey. She went to fetch the washbasin and cloth that had been left for her. Turning toward him, she tried not to stare at the bands of muscle, the sprinkling of dark hair. Clearly, he did something other than gamble and drink the days away.
“If you must know,” he said, “I was shot at. One of the pitfalls of chasing a married lady.”
Oh, but he was wicked. “You are fortunate the husband was such a poor shot.” She wet the washcloth with the rosewater and dabbed at the wound. The blood was congealing now, oozing slowly from the gash.
“I only wish I’d run faster,” he replied. “Ouch!”
Patience glanced up with her sweetest smile. “Forgive me. It will be tender for some time. Unlike your feelings for the lady, I suspect.” She busied herself opening the jar and dipping up a fingerful of the ointment.
He flinched back. “You’re certain it’s safe?”
Patience raised her brow. “I’m hardly going to poison you, Sir Harold.”
“Why not? Gussie tries on a regular basis.”
“And why would your own aunt want to poison a gentleman of your standing?”
That grin popped into view, bringing out the dimple again. “As you can see, she has countless reasons. Very well, do your worst. I’ll endeavor to bear it like a man.”
Patience bit back a response but spread the ointment over the wound. “And when I’m finished, you must retire to another room.”
He inspected her handiwork, then refolded the cravat to tie it over the wound. “But you’ve made me so comfortable here.”
Patience handed him his shirt. “I’ve done all I can. If you refuse to leave, I’ll simply have to ask your aunt for other accommodations. Even if Miss Thorn, Miss Villers, and her brother are in residence, there must be somewhere I can sleep undisturbed.”
In the act of pulling on the shirt, he stiffened. “You can’t ask Gussie. Not in front of the Villers.”
Why did he look even paler than a moment ago? Well, she was about to make it worse yet again. He could not rise in the morning innocent to his aunt’s machinations.
“I must,” Patience told him. She drew herself up. “And you may as well know all. Your aunt asked me to pose as your betrothed. If you don’t leave this room immediately, you may have no other choice than to follow through and marry me.”
more
Patience is an orphan. For years she’s lived up to her name, serving a fearful, crotchety, sour older woman.
With the help of Meredith Thorn and her cat, Fortune, Patience learns of a position helping a woman delights in her highly atypical (and frequently disastrous) scientific pursuits.
Upon arrival, she discovers that not all is as it appears. Her job description abruptly shifts to include discouraging a blond adventuress and her villainous brother.
The mystery underlying this gentle romance involves international intrigue, a tarnished family reputation, and a deep desire to protect.
A lot of drama and espionage! Very good read.
Patience takes a job as a lab assistant for a mad scientist who is working on a skin cream formula. However there is the uninvited guests who have arrived to marry off the sister to Harry the spy. Patience plays the part of the betrothed so Harry can save the gallant countess from her murderess uncle.
Good story one I actually paid for.
Today I finished reading “Never Borrow a Baronet” (nook). Another great book by Regina Scott!!! Not quite as scrumptious as “Never Doubt a Duke” which I finished yesterday but still delicious. On to “Never Envy an Earl.”
Will they both get more than they bargained for…?
I think this book had me at the title. For whatever reason it really tickled my fancy. I’ve enjoyed several of Regina Scott’s historical romances, with settings in later eras, so other than knowing it was a Regency Era story I wanted to read/listen to Never Borrow A Baronet because of the author alone. I wasn’t disappointed.
While reading about or listening to a Regency Era houseparty really does sound monotonous and a trifle boring, this story was not. Sure, there are all the trappings of a Regency novel, teas, pretty dresses, polite conversation, and amusements for mixed company, they are well broken up with humor, intrigue, spies, a fake engagement, questionable beauty treatments that lead to both amusement and near crises, there might even be a little gunplay and a possible kidnapping. But, what really delighted me was to find out who the ‘Fortune’ in Fortune’s Brides was, the owner of the employment agency’s cat! I loved it! As a pet owner myself, I know if my dog doesn’t like somebody, something is wrong, and, just like Miss Thorn I pay attention to what my pet ‘says’.
While I haven’t read book one in the Fortune’s Brides series I can say that I was able to enjoy Never Borrow A Baronet without a problem as it is fairly standalone. Though, I now know that I’ll snag any chance I get at reading the other books in Regina Scott’s series.
I did listen to the audiobook version of this book. The production was well done, the audio itself was good quality, and I have to say that the narrator’s accent was perfectly charming and totally fit the story. I felt that the production and sound quality, as well as the talents of the narrator, did complete justice to this fun Regency romance.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Patience Ramsey has every expectation her new position as an assistant will be worlds better than being a companion. However, she is dumbfounded when her new employer introduces her as the bride-to-be of Sir Harold Orwell. Has Fortune the cat made a mistake?
We first met Patience in the first book of this series where we saw how browbeaten and overworked she was. Now she has hopes to improve her situation. She is suspicious of Sir Harry, but she carries on the pretense of their engagement.
Sir Harry’s reputation and that of his family precedes him wherever he foes. He is doing what he can to salvage his reputation. He is attracted to Patience, but he has his hands full saving the life of a British ally who has been sending him information from France.
I had expected Miss Meredith Thorn’s story to remain more of a mystery through the series. But she has it out with the barrister from the previous book, Julian, and makes her feelings known.
This is a clean, fun Regency romance that I would recommend to any reader.
Never Borrow a Baronet by Regina Scott
My rating is 4.5 Stars
Augusta, aka Gussie, was a riot! She was so determined to come up with the latest and greatest skin concoction that would take England by storm. However, she didn’t want to be trite and use tried and true ingredients like rose petals. No. Instead, she tried things like burned chicken feathers and ground pearls! The results of some of her experiments were less than stellar! I loved how her laboratory and nasty creations played such an important role.
Patience was so adaptable. She had been in so many uncomfortable circumstances since her parents died, she really didn’t think twice about it. Working with Gussie was a step up from the persnickety Lady that she had been a companion to that she positively thrived. She was resourceful and knew how to take charge when necessary. But she was an abominable spy. . .
I enjoyed Sir Harry’s dedication to his cause and to helping Yvette that he was willing to perpetuate the myth that he was as much a rogue as his father and grandfather.
There were some secondary characters in the story, the unwanted houseguests, Beau and his sister, Lydia. Beau was determined to marry his sister off to Harry and had other nefarious purposes. They added such richness and mystery. I sincerely hope that Lydia will get her own story. I didn’t think I would like her much, but ended up just loving her!
Meredith Thorn finally ended up face to face with Julian, though their tale is far from being resolved. Never Doubt a Duke began their story. Despite this, you could read this book and not feel like you were at sea from not having read that first book, yet, the books do build on each other and my recommendation is to read them all. And don’t worry about having to wait long for the conclusion, because Never Envy an Earl is already available for pre-order and will be releasing on July 13, 2018.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net.
Get a preview of Never Borrow a Baronet at amongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Regina Scott for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
Never Borrow a Baronet by Regina Scott
Fortune’s Brides Series Book Two
Patience Ramsey had been a companion to a very difficult woman. And treated badly by the daughter. During her visits with her employer’s friend, she met Jane who suggested Patience go see Mrs. Thorn to find a new job. She finally did. Suddenly she finds herself working for a unique woman. A woman who announces her as her nephew’s fiancé.
Sir Harold Orwell “Harry” is working to have his title respectable. His forefathers hadn’t done a very good job of it. He is already playing a part in his work for England, so why not add having a bride-to-be in his act.
Another great series by Regina Scott. Humor, romance, and suspense. So many unique characters that add to the story line. Including Fortune—a cat who has the final meow on who is acceptable—and who isn’t.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2012/10/regina-scott-book-list.html
Never Borrow a Baronet is a sweet and fun addition to the Fortune’s Brides series. Although this story could probably be enjoyed as a stand alone novel, I think that readers will understand the roles of Miss Thorn and Fortune better if they have also read Never Doubt a Duke. Patience, the heroine of this novel, also appears in book one, so it is fun to see what her life was like prior to this story.
The twists, turns, and intrigue played out among quite the cast of characters! I really liked Patience and Harry a lot. I also enjoyed watching the interaction between Meredith and Julian. The Regency era is such an interesting setting for books and it is always refreshing to find clean fiction set in this time period.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I am absolutely loving Regina Scott’s return to the Regency era with this new series, Fortune’s Brides. Although the books are loosely connected, each one can be read as a standalone and Patience and Harry won my heart in this installment. The combination of great characters, sweet romance, and a wonderful, unique plot make this my new favorite book by the author!
These characters quickly drew me in. Patience has experienced much loss and struggles with knowing her value. Harry is a rake by reputation; few take the time to discover the true man. Together, these two help each other see themselves with new eyes and begin to hope for something bigger than they ever dreamed of before.
This novel has several twists and much that was unexpected. Perhaps my greatest surprise came in the secondary characters in this novel, each one a strong woman who somehow defied society’s expectations for women at the time. Scott keeps things historically accurate, however, and I never felt that the women were too progressive or modern to be realistic, which I appreciate when I read historical fiction.
A fun, mostly-lighthearted read set in Regency England with a bit of suspense and many surprises, I highly recommend this novel for fans of the Regency genre and those who enjoy historical fiction with humorous elements. I look forward to reading the next book, which cannot release soon enough for me!
I received a review copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed are both honest and my own.
‘Once trust is lost, it is impossible to regain.’
Patience Ramsey has been forced out of her previous employment as a companion when Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency secured a position for her as an assistant to Gussie Orwell, who fancies herself an apothecary. Patience agreed and the first night at her new home heard her employer say that Patience is betrothed to Gussie’s nephew, Did Harry. Actually this situation can help Harry because he is just spying on the French for the English. The house is full of guests for the Easter weekend and the weather has made leaving difficult. Things quickly heat up, not the least of which are Patience and Harry’s feelings for each other.
Regina Scott knows how to write a superior Regency very well. I read this in one day! She creates characters the reader can ‘know’ from the ferry beginning. I look forward to more in this series.
*My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. The opinion stated here is completely my own.