The perky Lydia Villers is determined to leave behind her life as a social butterfly and do what she’s always dreamed of doing, pursue a career in natural philosophy. A shame the only scientist available to assist her is the one man she had once hoped to wed. The brilliant Frederick, Viscount Worthington, Worth to his friends, has been betrayed too many times, including by the bubbly beauty who … beauty who now wants to work at his side. How can he believe Lydia’s intentions are true this time? After all, someone is intent of sabotaging his efforts to create the perfect hot air balloon. But with the help of Miss Thorn and her beloved cat Fortune, the enthusiastic young lady and the wary lord might just discover that only together do they make the perfect chemistry.
This sweet, clean Regency romance is the sequel to Never Envy an Earl. Fortune’s Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.
Here’s a little taste:
Lydia was the picture of domesticity. Scarlet fabric flowed across her lap to pool on the floor on either side of the spindle-backed chair. Head bowed so the glow from the lamp on the table beside her glinted on pale curls, she took careful, even stitches. Something inside Worth unfurled, warmed, as if he’d come to the hearth after a long time in the snow.
She inserted her needle in the pin cushion on the table, smoothed her hands over the fabric, picked it up, and …
RIP!
He took a step back, and she must have noticed the movement, for she glanced up with her usual sweet smile.
“Experiment number twelve,” she announced.
He ventured into the room, feeling as if the walls leaned too near on either side. Now that he looked closer, he could see any number of holes in the fabric, thread hanging.
“Unsuccessful?” he asked.
“I suspect it depends on your measure of success,” she said, voice cheerful. “Miss Pankhurst advised me to attempt a stronger bond between two panels. I have attempted several lengths of stitches and now width, as in rows set side by side. So far, none has prevented the fabric from tearing on a good tug.”
“Perhaps you should test the strength of your thread,” he suggested.
She held up the spool. “I was only given one strength. Perhaps you could remedy that.”
“I’ll speak to Charlotte.”
She nodded. “Nothing coarse, I think. Silk, three-ply at least, undyed.”
Here less than a day and already she was dictating. “Rather specific. Your reasoning?”
“A hypothesis, if you will.” The world sounded strange on those rosy lips. “Miss Pankhurst reports that the more tightly woven fabric best meets the criteria you provided her, which she is, apparently, not at liberty to tell me. The combing and dying process must provide some stress on the thread. Therefore, tightly woven, undyed thread might also meet your criteria.”
Flawless. He bowed to her. “Madam, you impress me.”
She picked up her needle and drove it into the fabric. “I also hypothesize that you are too easily impressed.”
Worth straightened. “Based on what evidence?”
She began sewing again. “You must have accepted my brother’s word before pursuing me last year, though I’m certain you could have found evidence to suggest it wasn’t your best course. You accepted my word initially, with insufficient evidence in the end to sustain it. You obviously accepted someone else’s word against mine. I can vouch for my brother’s insincerity, and my own sincerity. Of course, I don’t know who commented against me or perhaps you simply realized your mistake.”
His heart was pounding painfully, as if each thrust of her needle pierced it. “Lydia, I …”
RIP!
She sighed. “Thirteen. I really could use that thread. Perhaps you could find some.”
As soon as he found his dignity again.
more
Lydia Villers has been tarred with the same brush as her brother, a social-climbing adventuress with minimal character and basically no brain.
The one man she dared care for rejected her and now, through the enigmatic Meredith Thorn, she finds herself working on this same man’s scientific team to build…something. He refuses to divulge the goal of the project and she learns what and why almost too late, endangering the project, his dreams, and her last hope for the match of her dreams.
This story is full of Hot Air. Yes, it is a good story. Yes I actually paid for it, oh well there are only two more.
Lydia Villers takes herself off the marriage mart. Finds employment with a scientist who happens to be her old heart throb of last year. The trials of building a balloon in 1812, with evil competitors trying to steal there secrets.
Lydia Villiers has been under her social climber brother long enough. She pursues her scientific studies, despite being employed by Viscount Worthington. Can she trust love to flourish as she works with the viscount to help perfect a hot air balloon?
W met Lydia in the previous books of the series. We’ve seen her brother push her towards titled, wealthy gentleman. Now that her brother is married, she finally gets the chance to use her mind. her reputation has been stained by her brother’s antics, but what does that matter when there are matters of natural study at hand?
Worth had almost given Lydia his heart before, and he is not eager to trust her again. This time, he gets to see her creativity and intelligence as he never had before. He’ll need all the help he can get with a saboteur nearby.
The plot goes fast but is well-paced. The supporting characters are charming, and Fortune the cat is on hand for advice. Miss Thorn also draws closer to the happily ever after she deserves.
A must-read for Regency readers!
This whole series has been adorable romance after adorable romance, and this one was just perfect!
Lydia wasn’t my favorite character when we first met her in “Never Borrow a Baronet”. She was super immature when the book first started, but by the end of the story I knew she was a diamond in the rough.
This book proved my hypothesis was correct! She was the sweetest thing, but she never let anyone walk all over her. Even when accusations and nasty words were being thrown at her she held her head high and responded with kindness and a smile.
She had brilliant ideas, in science and in how to deal with people. She definitely grew up a lot from book 2 to book 4. She became sure of her passion and purpose and she gave everything she had to it.
Worth was such an adorable character. He was so oblivious, but like in a “so smart he’s not” way. He just made me smile. He preferred science to people, science was unchanging people were unstable. He guarded himself because he didn’t want to get hurt again, but it never stopped him from furthering the well being of others.
I loved all of the characters, from the main to the secondary.
I cannot wait for Charlotte’s story! Though I will be sad to see the series end.
I really enjoyed the science aspects, it was interesting to read about the beginning phases of the hot air balloon. Overall I loved the story!
I rated it a 5/5 stars.
*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*
I always enjoy Regina Scott’s stories—regardless of setting, I can be assured of a novel that will transport me to another time and place with characters for whom I can cheer. This book does just that, but the added layer of scientific processes during the Regency fascinated me and made this book a clear favorite on my keeper shelf.
Of all the characters I have previously met in the series, Lydia as a scientific woman rather outside her time was not a natural conclusion, even despite her assistance to Gussie. But, as others who observed her with her brother, I found I had seen what Beau wanted everyone to perceive rather than reality. I really enjoyed getting to know her through the pages of her own story.
The historical and scientific components riveted me to the pages—while not necessarily a topic of burning interest to me, the ideas presented for the time period were intriguing. And the tension between a woman’s intelligence and her need to fit into respectable society made me glad to live in the time I do, despite its own problems.
This book surprised me as my new favorite of the series—the many layers, the characters, and the plot all combine in this one to hit the sweet spot of fantastic storytelling. While those who have read previous books in the series will enjoy more of the nuances of the secondary characters (as well as have a little of Lydia’s backstory), it is entirely possible to read this book as a standalone. Those who enjoy Regency romance with a dash of suspense won’t want to miss this one!
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.
Never Vie for a Viscount is a sweet addition to the Fortune’s Brides series. I believe that this story could be enjoyed as a stand alone, however, the reader will get a much more thorough picture of the matchmaking exploits of Meredith Thorn, if the series is read in order.
I really liked Lydia and felt sorry for what she had experienced in her past. She endured a brother who pushed her at wealthy and titled men for years in hopes of matrimony. She also suffered heartbreak a year earlier with the hero of this book.
I thought the interaction between Lydia and Worth was very well done. I could feel the mutual attraction, as well as the mutual hurt that they both carried around. This was an enjoyable story, with a focus on scientific endeavors.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Never Vie for a Viscount by Regina Scott
Fortune’s Bride Series Book Four
Lydia Villers had loved and lost a year ago. She’d also had to preen and push herself out amongst the ton as her brother had tried to “sell” her off to any rich and titled gentleman. Now, her brother was getting married and she could work in a field she enjoyed…instead of returning to the marriage mart.
Viscount Frederick Worthington “Worth” to his friends, didn’t believe Lydia for one moment had come to work with him and his sister. He’d been fulled and taken advantage in his life and learned not to trust. Especially this woman who’d already proved untrustworthy once already.
Charlotte Worthington does hire Lydia to work on their secret project. The secretive Worth is the only one who knows their final objective for this project. This is a really great series. The reader can first meet Lydia and her horrid brother, Beau, in book two of this series; Never Borrow a Barronet.
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I love the way author Regina Scott ties the stories of this series together through Meredith’s cat, Fortune. This clever cat is not only able to discern character (let’s face it, cat’s do that well), she also communicates her likes and dislikes effectively.
Lydia now has her chance to shine. Yay! She has been in a few of the other stories, thanks to her scoundrel of a brother. He tried to care for her in his own way and caused poor Lydia to be worse off than she had been simply through association with him.
Never Vie for a Viscount is such a fun story! As Worth has Lydia working on a secret project, so secret, in fact, that none of those working on it even know anything beyond their small part, he sees her in a completely new light. And he’s puzzled by the brilliant mind and hunger for knowledge she exhibits. She has transformed from a social butterfly (who seemed quite empty-headed) into a brilliant, still beautiful, bluestocking!
As in her other stories, author Regina Scott takes the plot far beyond romance and attraction. She demonstrates the mindset of the ton towards women and allows them to be intelligent and strong in character. There is an added mystery involving threatening notes and sabotage. She also helps her characters to learn their true value (love the pun that Worth had difficulty seeing this!).
I am already excited about the next book, Never Kneel to a Knight! The hints given as to what this will be about were intriguing, though I know it will be far more than I can anticipate.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.