Series:
Designing Debutantes (Book 3)
As a viscount's heir, Rafe Wolfford is obligated to take
a wife someday. But she must be the right sort of wife -- not too independent,
and not inclined to delve into his escapades as a spy. The forthright,
perceptive Lady Verity is altogether the wrong choice. But Rafe's courtship is
merely a ruse to discover whether Verity or anyone else associated with Elegant
Occasions is leaking crucial information to the French. That mission is all
that matters -- until fate, and desire, intervene.
After enduring one disastrous engagement, Verity won't
easily open her heart again, preferring to devote herself to Elegant Occasions.
Rafe is charming, handsome, and kisses like the very devil, but she knows he's
harboring secrets. Still, when her ex-fiancé tries to ruin her reputation, Rafe
offers his hand. For the sake of her family and business, Verity has little
choice but to accept. Yet turning this arrangement into a true marriage will
require daring and trust -- which neither will embrace easily, making surrender
all the sweeter . . .
Terrific conclusion to the series. The Harper sisters'
business, Elegant Occasions, is doing a booming business with its event planning
and matchmaking services. Verity's sisters, Diana and Eliza, found their
matches in the previous books. Verity isn't interested in a match for herself.
Between an earlier betrayal and her parents' scandalous behavior, she has trust
issues and feels she is better off on her own.
Rafe is an army officer who is also a spy. He has a
reputation as a chameleon whose disguises can get him anywhere undetected. His
mission is to find the person providing military information to the French. He
believes it is someone connected to the Harper family and is determined to get
closer to them. He decides his best option is to fake courting Verity. He
doesn't expect the intense attraction that complicates his plans.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Rafe and
Verity develop. Rafe's confidence in his abilities is well-earned, but he's
never encountered anyone like her. His attitude at the beginning made me laugh
out loud: "He would use Lady Verity's native curiosity to draw her in, and
then would charm her into giving up her family secrets...or at least showing
him where to look for them. What could be easier?" He had no idea what he
was getting himself into.
Verity is an intelligent and observant young woman who
never forgets a face. Her first thought when she saw Rafe was that he reminded
her of the Phantom, a man who has crashed multiple events over more than a year
wearing various disguises. After his introduction, she second-guesses herself but
can't let go of the suspicion. She finds him good-looking and charming, but that
lingering suspicion makes her wary. But a grand scene at the auction that night
wins him some points.
As Rafe increases his attention to Verity to get closer
to the family, the sparks of attraction between them grow stronger. Rafe
continues his investigation while fighting his growing feelings for her. It was
fun to see how being near her scrambled his brain and made him feel protective of
her. Verity also feels the same sparks while becoming more convinced that Rafe
is the Phantom. I loved their conversations - their banter and teasing were fun
and flirtatious.
I also ached for Rafe as he grew closer to Verity and her
family. He had a lonely childhood, brought up by his bachelor/soldier uncle,
and that loneliness has continued as an adult. Some vulnerability was exposed
as he experienced the close and chaotic Harper family life, and he wondered
what it would have been like to have a family like that. He also has unanswered
questions about his family.
When Rafe rescues Verity from a sticky situation,
offering marriage is the only thing he can do to protect her. But he worries about
what will happen when she learns the truth about why he was there. I loved the
conversation when he revealed those secrets and Rafe's surprise at her reaction.
Rafe's reaction to her revelation of him as the Phantom had me laughing the
loudest. His shock at how much he had underestimated her was hilarious, but it
did bring them closer.
Meanwhile, Rafe is beginning to close in on the traitor
but lacks some vital information. I loved seeing his partnership with Verity as
they collaborated on what he knew. The resolution came together quickly at this
point with an unexpected twist and Verity in danger. The final confrontation
was satisfying and believable.
The book had an emotional ending, with all questions
resolved. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved catching up with all three
sisters and their families.
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