Love creeps up unawares!

My Season of Scandal (Palace of Rogues #7) by Julie Anne Long      

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another sparkling episode set in London’s exclusive yet lively boardinghouse, The Grand Palace on the Thames. Once a brothel, now a place of superior accommodation with a non negotiable set of rules and a lively cast of permanent residents.

Catherine Keating is a doctor’s daughter. She’s been persuaded to come to London for a season and is ensconced in the Grand Palace. She will chaperoned by her new friend Lucy Morrow’s godmother Lady Wisterberg, who’s also a close friend of her aunt. Lady W is rather interesting, and unfortunately irresponsible from time to time, particularly when she’s swept away by the feverish call of the card tables. It’s the challenge you see! Any pretence of chaperoning tends to go out of the window when she’s ensnared in a card game, and there’s always a card room set aside at the balls they attend.

Lord Dominic Kirk is a Member of Parliament who champions laws to improve the lot of child workers. 

He’s a rousing orator, splendid in his conviction. Originally from Wales, he’s come from nothing.(Shared a bed with six, as he describes it, semi feral siblings).

He ends up at the Grand Palace because his mistress, in a rage at him dismissing her, threw a lamp and burned down his town house. 

Dominic finds he rather enjoys the Grand Palace . He is amused and challenged by Catherine. He calls her Keating. He also ensures Lady Wisterberg is recalled from the card room to get Keating home before the Grand Palace’s doors are irrevocably closed for the night. (I love him just for that action alone).

Of course they’re attracted to each other. However that is never voiced. Even though their stolen kisses sizzle and consume them both.

Before he walks away, Dominic dances one waltz with Catherine, determined her season would go well. Shocking! Why? Because he hasn’t danced in ten years, and society is agog. Catherine fast becomes a ton favorite until that’s dashed by cruel rumor and gossip forcing her to flee home.

Catherine returns to Little Bramble. Dominic?  Well, he pines. Then he makes the speech of a lifetime!

Just brilliant, and wretchedly lovely!

An Avon and Harper Voyager ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.