Eleanor, the widowed Lady Scarborough, returns to England following her husband's death in a boating accident in Italy. Eleanor is an American, and her husband's upper crust British family shunned her during their very brief marriage, mistakenly believing her to be a fortune hunter. She is now trustee of the money he left to his young sister. This does not sit well with her mother-in-law, who believes Eleanor murdered her son. She sends her brother Anthony, Lord Neale, to confront Eleanor who - needless to say - is quite offended. (Anthony and Eleanor met only once before, during which he rudely offered her money if she would not marry his nephew). Despite their mutual dislike, Eleanor and Anthony have an immediate and intense attraction to one another. As they attempt to sort out their warring emotions, Eleanor becomes the target of a mysterious stalker. Soon she and Anthony are working together to solve the mystery...and dreading the hours they must be apart.
I enjoyed this book. Miss Camp has a comfortable writing style and she does a good job of creating sexual tension between the leads. Anthony and Eleanor are perfectly matched, and their transition from contempt to more tender feelings is nicely done. Their frank and impassioned conversations are a particular delight. The love scenes, though fairly tame, are satisfying. The romance between Eleanor's staff members is curiously left unresolved, Eleanor's good friend Julianna inexplicably fades from view, and the ending leaves our hero and heroine - although quite happy - in a somewhat precarious situation. Nonetheless, this is a good read with very likeable leads and a nice romantic feel. 3 1/2 - 4 stars
