Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114505 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

Synopsis
Determined to regain the favor of the queen, Devon Mathewes, Earl of Kerrich, tries to regain respectability by adopting an orphan and by hiring a sensible, unattractive governess, but the new governess soon turns his life upside down.

Customer Reviews

My favourite book of the Governess Brides series
"Rules of Engagement" is book two in the popular Governess Brides
series and this is my favourite from the trilogy. The setting is early Victorian England and it is the story of Miss Pamela Lockhart. Pamela is one of the co-founders of The Distinguished Academy of Governesses and an attractive young woman in urgent need of a governess position. She accepts the unusual offer of Devon Mathewes, the earl of Kerrick. Kerrick wants an unattractive middle-aged spinster who would find him an orphan and restore his reputation in front of the queen. He is the ultimate bachelor; handsome, arrogant and rich. He is convinced of his irresistibility among the female population and he is deeply shocked by Pamela's uninterest in him. His attention is captured and he sets out to discover the truth about Miss Lockhart's unattractive disguise and mysterious past. Pamela is an accomplished governess who loves children and who hides her beautiful features and feelings very well. Her experience with love is very painful and she is disillusioned about men. The author shows us again her knowleadge of human nature, the passions, the strength and weaknesses of her characters.Pamela and Kerrick are a very likeable couple and the author draws us into their lives so we can follow their passionate and funny encounters in close proximity. The storyline is delightful, full of interesting action and a wonderful sense of humour. The secondary characters are fully developed and they support the success of the book. Especially Lord Reynard and little Beth are two of the best supporting characters I've recently read about.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is a brilliant piece of work written by a talented author. Ms. Dodd proves again her extensive knowleadge of the era and her characters. I am positive that historical romance lovers will find this book as wonderful as I do.

Charming, Delightful, Funny!!
Cristina Dodd has written some very witty, rather wickedly sensual Victorian novels that have caught my heart before. Especially one that dealt with a young lord of Scotland that was half Selkie. And I truly enjoyed even moment of the first book in this series, Rules of Surrender. But Rules of Engagement even Tops that!! It is a delightful witty romp that had me laughing out loud. Devon Mathews, Earl of Kerrich, has more than his share of troubles. There is the fact he is sinfully handsome, of a superior title, boon friend of the young Queen Victoria and rich. But it the first that has the Queen ticked at her friend. Women just seem to through themselves at the much too beautiful man. No happily married, she believes this is also the solution for the Earl. He instead rushes headlong into a plan to remain a rake, but regain her favour. All he need to is 'adopt' a orphan, so his respectability and all will right in his world again....well, almost. There is too sharp grandfather, and his cousin Lewis...good old cousin Lewis so respectable, so upright and a counterfeiting pounds right from Devon estate!!! He needs Victoria's favour more than ever to protect his grandfather, the bank and the family name. So he needs an orphan quickly. But to get an orphan to be polished like an apple he needs a governess to do the polishing. An ancient, ugly governess with no hopes of falling in love with him. Only there is one problem....he goes to the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, presents his proposal with plenty of money to smooth things over...but the frumpy, ugly governess he gets is hiding a few things from the arrogant Earl...

Another winner
Can Christina Dodd write a romance that is not brilliant? I think not. A kind hearted hero, who doesnt know it, and another wonderful bossy heroine. Yes - buy it, you will love it.