Author: Kate Bateman
Series: Her Majesty's Rebels (Book 2)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 20, 2024)
Description: Two unlikely allies team up to solve a case in this novel filled with Kate Bateman's signature sparkling voice, exciting adventures, and steamy chemistry.
As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.
“Henri Bonheur”―or “Harry” as he asks to be called―claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?
My Thoughts: This second book in the Her Majesty's Rebels series stars Eleanor Law. Ellie and her two best friends Daisy and Tess have formed King & Company, a most successful private investigation firm. However, they are about to lose the chance at a lucrative investigation for a missing valuable book because they can't introduce their prospective client to Charles King, their fictional boss.
In steps "Henri Bonheur" who claims to be Charles King. Ellie has met Henri at a ball and is very taken with him even though she knows he is a scoundrel and thief and a man who won't share his real name. He does prove his worth in the investigation into the lost manuscript. But Henri, or Harry, has a problem of his own.
He wants to hire King & Company to prove that he is Henry James Charles Brooke, the twelfth Earl of Cobham. He was taken to the Continent at age fifteen after the deaths of his parents by his uncle Hugo. There is a large change of appearance between fifteen and twenty-five and most who know him have passed away.
Luckily, Harry does have one unique feature - his eyes are two different colors. He was studied by an optometrist who wrote about his eyes in an article published in the Royal Society's annual book. They need to track down the optometrist to find his notes because his paper doesn't name Harry.
All along the way, as they search for missing manuscripts, win back a famous jewel, and try to find out the proof of Harry's claim. Ellie and Harry are falling in love.
This was an entertaining historical romance set in 1816. I liked the characters.
Favorite Quote:
"That's not a stolen carriage, is it?" Daisy asked, a faint note of hopefulness in her tone."Of course not," Harry said with mock dignity. "I'm merely borrowing it from a friend."Tess smiled. "Is your friend aware of that fact?"
I like the quote!
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