As always when you read the final book in a series there is a filling of sadness at having to say good bye to the characters that you have come to love. So we have come to the end of series with the marriage of Tess Blanchard. This was an unsuspected ending. There has been no mention of the Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham, in any of the previous books. Certainly not in connection with Tess or with Richard her deceased betrothed. This story starts off with both parties being antagonistic to each other. Ian has aggravated Tess for two years. More for Ian to hide his feelings for Tess than for any real animosity that Ian might feel for Tess. There were times that Tess made me want to spank her for her overly high minded reaction to Ian. She was so caught up in his reputation that she couldn't see that there was a wonderful man beneath the public persona. I surprised me that Tess was so willing to be compassionate with those that she knew nothing about but couldn't come to see that Ian could or had changed.

Ian is one of those men that doesn't curry the approval of society. He does what is right and if that means letting others think badly of him then so be it. I loved that he took a little boy into his home and made him his ward. I loved that he cared so deeply for the child. It also warmed my heart that he was so protective of the child. His ongoing protection of Tess is also a plus on his side. I enjoyed the banter between Ian and Tess. Their verbal sparring was really a mating dance but neither seemed to realize it. I was surprised at the lengths Ian would go to in order to keep Tess happy. The first sign that he had come to love Tess very much.

This story also brings Fanny Irwin’s romance to it proper and very happy ending. She finally gets to leave her old profession behind and embark on a journey to reconcile with her family as well as marry the man that she has come to love. I was very happy to see a resolution to this ongoing story.

This is a wonderful story filled with a little mystery, a budding love, the revealing of terrible secrets and happy endings for all. There are also some steamy scenes between Ian and Tess especially closer to the end of the story. I will be sad to see the last of these characters. I have enjoyed searching their lives for just a little while. ( )

:) ( )