When the thoroughly poised Charlotte Worthington requests that Miss Thorn and her cat Fortune find her a position, she never dreams the savvy employment agency owner would reunite her with Matthew Bateman, her brother’s former bodyguard. Matthew is about to be knighted for an act of valor, and he and his sisters could use some polishing if they’re to enter Society after his elevation. Yet how can … can Charlotte maintain her calm, cool demeanor as their sponsor when she harbors a secret love for him?
Matthew Bateman cannot forget the beauty who is miles out of his league. Once a boxer called the Beast of Birmingham, Matthew would like nothing better than to be worthy of Charlotte’s hand. As old enemies and new ones attempt to bring him low, can Matthew prove to Charlotte that their love is meant to be?
This sweet, clean Regency romance is the sequel to Never Vie for a Viscount. Fortune’s Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.
Here’s a little taste:
Charlotte inclined her head. “That’s settled, then. What about you?”
He frowned. “Me? I’m fine.”
She was watching him. “You’ve been told what will be expected of you at the levee, then?”
By no less than three lords, all of whom had seemed certain he’d embarrass himself even with their wise counsel. He shrugged. “More or less.”
She puffed out a sigh. “Come now, Beast. You must know there are expectations for your behavior.”
He could feel his frown deepening. “Like what?”
“Like introductions, for one. How do you bow to the prince?”
He rose and inclined his head.
She stood and put her hand on his shoulder. “Deeper. He is the sovereign.”
“And I’m a knight,” Matthew reminded her. “Or I will be soon. Don’t I deserve some dignity? If you’re supposed to keel over for a kingly sort, do you at least kneel to a knight?”
“Never,” she said. “Your obeisance is tempered by the elevation of the person you are greeting. Knights, even the hereditary ones, are at the very bottom.”
“No, that’s reserved for us common folk,” he said.
Either the tone or the look on his face must have said more than he’d intended, for her eyes dipped down at the corners, and she removed her hand from his shoulder. “Now, then, you and your sisters may need to brush up on Society’s expectations, but you know many things I’ve never been taught.”
“Like what?” he asked, struggling to see her as anything less than perfect.
“Like boxing,” she said with certainty.
Matthew snorted. “Fat lot Society needs to know about that.”
“Some know far more than they should,” she informed him primly. “But my point was that you are an expert in that area. For example, how would you go about besting me?”
His brows shot up. “What? You think I fight women?”
She laughed, a warm sound that made him want to move closer, as if he’d stepped through the door of his own home for the first time in a long time. “No, of course not. But you must have a strategy. Appearing before the prince is no different. You have to know what you hope to achieve.”
Matthew stuck out his lower lip. “All right. But when I fight, I mostly think about staying alive, avoiding injury.”
She frowned. “All defense? No offense?”
“Well,” he allowed, “I did have one particular move that served me well. I can take a punch better than most, but if a fellow was especially trying, I’d wrap him up.”
“Wrap him up?”
“Yeah, like this.” He reached out and wrapped his arms about her, pinning her against his chest. Her eyes were wide in surprise, but he didn’t see any fear in the grey. She fit against him as if she’d been tailored just for him.
He knew he should let go. Yet everything in him demanded that he hang on, hold her close, all the days of his life, no matter the cost.
more
Charlotte has never been a typical Englishwoman. Not having found a match in the “marriage mart” of the English ton, she retired to quietly work with her brother in the pursuit of natural philosophy.
Today she challenges her world’s rigid rules yet again by taking on the task of preparing a small household when one of its members is slated to receive a knighthood.
But can she help them without endangering her own heart? And who is this man she’s falling in love with? The “Beast of Birmingham,” as he was called during his boxing days, or Sir Matthew, a truly gentle-man?
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is the fifth book in the Fortune’s Brides series. It is a standalone book but it does center on two characters who were part of a previous book in the series. The characters are likeable and the story was entertaining. This is a delightful series! Anyone who is a fan of Regency Romantic stories will enjoy this series.
The narrator, Jannie Meisberger, is the same for the entire series. She is a perfect fit with a very pleasant voice and just a wonderful narrator.
A Lady takes a position to help a soon to be elevated knight and his family learn to adjust to the life style of the rich and famous. It is a good story.
Charlotte Worthington has sought employment to fill the emptiness in her life. However, she was certainly not expecting Miss Thorn to place her in the household of Matthew Bateman, the man who had been a bodyguard for her brother! She sets herself to the task of making Matthew and his sisters ready for entry into society. Can she trust her heart to the newly made knight?
Every book in this series leads to the next one. At the end of the previous book, we were left with the knowledge that Charlotte admired Matthew but wasn’t willing to act on it. The more she associates with the Bateman siblings, the more she is willing to support and defend them from the sticklers in society.
Miss Thorn maneuvers the matter so that Charlotte is forced to associate with the new knight. And Meredith’s own budding relationship with Jullian progresses. Fortune looks on, making her own feelings known whenever necessary.
Again, this is an enjoyable read any fan of Regency romance will definitely love.
Never Kneel to a Knight by Regina Scott
Fortune’s Brides Series Book Five
Charlotte Worthington is at loose ends. Now that her brother is married, it’s Lydia’s place to run the household. Fortunately, Miss Thorn has found a job for her. A soon to be knighted fellow and his family will need guidance into entering Society. Perfect. Hopefully it will keep her mind off the man she can never have.
Matthew Bateman aka the Beast of Birmingham just happened to save the Prince Regent’s life and has gained himself a title. He and his three sisters were just fine without a title. Now they have to follow Society’s rules. And of all the women to come to help his family…it would be her…Charlotte.
The difference in the “classes” is so clear in this story. How it matters to some, but not all. Also, escaping the past is harder than it seems. Especially when people like to use your past against you. Another excellent story in this series.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2012/10/regina-scott-book-list.html
A knighted boxer with the heart of a prince
Somehow, in all the movies I’ve seen and the books I’ve read, I’ve always assumed that to be knighted was not only a great honor, it was also a big deal in general. I’ve never before considered the implications of going from a more “common” background to being elevated into a society that snubs those deemed “unworthy”. . .
These are exactly the circumstances Matthew, aka the Beast of Birmingham, finds himself in. You may remember him from Never Vie for a Viscount, which released last December.
Matthew descends from a tradesman who didn’t even have the distinction of owning a factory or a mill – he simply worked there. So when he is on the verge of being knighted for saving the Prince Regent’s life, he needs help. His sisters do as well. There are so many things they need to learn to be accepted into their new world.
I really liked the way the author brought out the challenges this life change would have caused this family and had me considering what it really would be like.
Matthew may have a “”common”” background, but he has the heart of a prince. The thoughtfulness he shows his sisters is as sweet as is the way they trust him implicitly. And of course, the youngest, Petunia, has him wrapped around her little finger.
While there is not as much intrigue or mystery in this as in previous books of the series, it is still a pleasurable read for those who enjoy historical, Regency romances.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Never Kneel to a Knight was a delightful story! I enjoyed seeing Charlotte help Matthew and his sisters learn to navigate society. This story could possibly be enjoyed as a stand alone, however, reading the book directly before this novel, Never Vie for a Viscount, would be helpful as Charlotte and Matthew do appear quite frequently in it. This series also has romance that slowly builds throughout each book and centers around Miss Thorn, the owner of the employment agency.
Charlotte was wonderful with Matthew’s sisters. She was the best blend of understanding listener, observer, and instructor. My favorite scenes were definitely between Charlotte and Matthew. Their interest in each other had been building for so long and seemed hopeless before Matthew’s unexpected elevation in society.
What a fun sneak peek in the back of the book, too! I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Since high school, the Regency era has intrigued me. After seeing an adaptation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I read all of her books. This continued in college and I was astounded to learn of all the various rules that people of the time were expected to know and follow, some of them quite ridiculous while others point to a time where civility was important, at least on the surface. One of the reasons I love Regina Scott’s Regency novels is that she always keeps true to the period and I am entertained even as I learn more about a time I love.
As Charlotte is a guide of sorts to Matthew and his sisters, the etiquette of the time is front and center. Rank, procedure, expectations, and the ever-present rules are all highlighted, but I absolutely loved how the characters also understand that sometimes these rigid structures are unhelpful hindrances to a life of meaning and love.
It isn’t just the strictures of society that make up the historical details that enrich this particular novel. Different terms are used and explained in context; the teaching aspect of Charlotte’s position allows for greater clarity without it coming across as a history lesson for the reader, but the details were fascinating for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect.
Matthew is a truly wonderful hero, admirable in many ways, but perhaps never more so than the scenes where he cares for and tenderly protects his loved ones. While not a perfect man, he remains realistic and sympathetic, and it ensured that I rooted for his happy ending.
Romantic and entertaining, this latest installment in the Fortune’s Bride series does not disappoint. Fans of the Regency era will find it highly enjoyable, but those who like romantic historical fiction in general will find much to appreciate as well. I highly recommend it and eagerly await the next book.
I received a review copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.