A LADY'S GUIDE TO IMPROPER BEHAVIOR

Author: Suzanne Enoch ISBN: 9780061662218 5/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Regency

A lady should always make polite conversation... Theresa Weller understands the rules of decorum, and is appalled when Colonel Bartholomew James disrupts a perfectly civilized dinner. This rude, insensitive man is the complete opposite of everything a gentleman should be— but with one searing kiss, less can think of no one else. A lady should never lose her temper... Aggravated beyond bearing by a man who speaks his mind, Tess wishes there was a guide to men like Bartholomew. Surely, with such an assortment of handsome, polite suitors to choose from, Tess should not ache for him. And a lady should never pursue a gentleman. She invites him on carriage rides and dares him to dance, and almost makes him want to return to Society. Bartholomew knows Tess wants to be seen as a proper miss, but deep down, he knows she is precisely the sort to spark his desire . . . A most improper lady.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

The next book in Enoch's new 'Adventurer's Club' books follows the romantic exploits of a new couple, Theresa Weller and Colonel Bartholomew James.  Like in the previous book, THE CARE AND TAMING OF A ROGUE, the male lead finds himself in a sticky situation involving his previous exploits on foreign soil, and the female lead finds herself trying to help him navigate out of the briar's patch he lands in.  Unlike ROGUE, however, the reasoning that the two are drawn together is made much clearer earlier on.

Theresa, or Tess, is very upright and a stickler for the rules.  She has several suitors, juggles at least three marriage proposals a Season and detests letting her emotions go out of control.  A painful mistake in her past that resulted in the deaths of her parents, has forced her to maintain rigid control over herself—at all times.  That is, until she meets Bartholomew, better known as Tolly (I have no idea why, however).  From the very first instant she sees him, she knows there will be trouble, and it does come calling.  She verbally unbraids him for his intolerable behavior at dinner, but is then quick to apologize and help him.

Tolly, for his part, is dead certain he should have nothing to do with her.  When she isn't arguing with him, she's taunting him and making him remember what it was like to be alive.  Things he doesn't want, doesn't think he should have, given what happened to his men back in India.  For all their bickering, the more they push each other—whether it's to show a little irritation or try to dance—the more they become complete. 

Some familiar faces from ROGUE appear, members of Somerset's Adventurer Club (Easton, for instance, who needs a firm smacking, in my opinion) as well Bennett from ROGUE.  I am looking forward to learning more about Somerset, actually.  Unlike the other members of the club, he doesn't seem damaged from whatever experience he had.  He interacts in society easily, is sought after for any number of reasons and has high connections just about everywhere.  Yet he is committed to the Club, to its members and to lending support to those who return to England unable to adjust to the 'new truth' of society. 

Some of the drama feels manufactured at times, and the ending has a distinctly "fairy tale" like quality to it with how easily everything seems to work out.  The two are so drawn to each other and are in unique positions to help one another, that the end result is one of the most charming and sweet books I've read this year.

Alexandra Cenni