The Viscount’s Tempting Minx

The Viscount’s Tempting Minx by Erica Ridley – Dukes of War #1

This novella provides a fun holiday story with Amelia Pembroke, nearly 30, deciding it is time to marry. She realizes her brother, the Duke of Ravenwood, needs an heir but won’t marry while she is managing his household, a job she does efficiently. Ridley reveals her special skills in the opening chapter with her handling a crisis with the staff and a replacement for an afternoon musical with foresight and ease. She begins to look for a husband in the Debrett’s Peerage but realizes a better face-to-face selection of a husband could occur at Lord Benedict Sheffield’s 37th annual Christmas Ball.

Unfortunately, Benedict has canceled the ball because a fire destroyed the venue. Amelia visits him and presents her plans to take over planning the ball and finding a new venue. Benedict, 35, is not in the market for a wife but is intrigued by Amelia’s proposal.

He agrees to go along with her ideas with his full participation and soon realizes she doesn’t allow any time in her busy schedule to have fun. He works twelve hours and then parties for twelve hours, which has gained him a rakish reputation. Their own goals work together to bring them together.

She takes him to three venue choices, the Royal Theatre, Almack’s, and the Vauxhall Gardens with historical descriptions but none of them makes Benedict happy. He then realizes she has manipulated him into agreeing to her original suggestion.

It is a fun romp with chaste kisses and well-developed characters who bring out the best in each other.

#EricaRidley #romance #Regency

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