Lord Perfect (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lord Perfect continues the tales of the Carsington brothers, sons of the Earl of Hargate, and stars the eldest, Benedict, Viscount Rathbourne, widower, businessman and political activist. His behaviour is so far above reproach that he is nicknamed Lord Perfect. So perfect, in fact, that when a friend has a problem with Lord Lisle, his unruly son, Benedict looks after him whilst his parents decide on their next move. Things become a little less pristine, however, when he meets Bathsheba Wingate, member of the dreadful DeLucey family, a widow with a young daughter, Olivia. They meet when their young charges get into a fight at an exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts; they both initially ignore their mutual attraction due to Bathsheba's unfairly dreadful reputation, but pretty soon Benedict is rationalising that Bathsheba would make an excellent art teacher for Lisle. Struggling with poverty after her noble family and in-laws all reject her, she rationalises that it would be foolish to refuse such welcome income. All very well, but then Olivia and Lisle run away to find hidden treasure. Olivia is clearly a chip off the old DeLucey block, and the sub-plot between her and Lord Lisle is delightfully comic. Bathsheba and Benedict are thrown together when they chase after the children, and it is not long before the sexual attraction between them becomes harder and harder to resist, and soon Lord Perfect is being very far from perfect, to Bathsheba's guilty pleasure.

What makes Loretta Chase so special for me is her idiosyncratic way of writing and her wonderful humor. For example, Bathsheba and Benedict repeatedly bump into each other. The first time, Benedict is looking for her, and Bathsheba says ' Had I not the presence of mind to throw myself in your way, you might have missed me altogether.' It happens again, and Benedict says 'I seem to have acquired a troublesome habit of standing in your way' . The plot fairly gallops along, involving, as well as Bathsheba's judgemental relatives, Lord Hargate, Benedict's father, and Rupert and Daphne from Mr Impossible-not to mention hidden treasure.

This is a wonderful romp resulting in redemption, happiness, laughter and passion for Benedict and Bathsheba- not bad for a man who was dying inside and an ostracised widow.

It was so nice to read another Loretta Chase work ........... sheer genius ............ I love her style.

Although I have only read two others before, both of which were stories of this hero's brothers.

This time it was the turn of the "Perfect" (and so different from his brothers) Lord Benedict Carsington, heir to the Earl of Hargate and beautiful widow Bathsheba Wingate.

Bathsheba is determined to provide a worthy upbringing for her daughter, but the hoyden Olivia has other ideas.

Bathsheba's first meeting with Benedict is at the British Museum where Olivia lays about his young Nephew, Lord Lisle, with a sketchbook. Things go from bad to worse when the young pair then strike up a clandestine correspondence and run away to find the Disgraceful DeLecey family treasure.

It falls to Benedict and Bathsheba to bring them back without falling into the trap of their own utter attraction to one another, and causing a scandal ......... as if!!!

A wrothy 5 Star read as always with this author. I need more of her books, but sadly some of them are out of print and not available at the library, so fingers crossed I can track them down - I especially don't want to miss the stories of the other remaining brothers.

Really enjoyed this book. Fast moving plot, well written and funny with some laugh out loud moments. At the same time it packs an emotional punch and the relationship between Benedict and Bathsheba is passionate and moving - the attraction of opposites always makes for an interesting love story. Highly recommended.