The Hidden Heart

2011 miniring to Kelsey10, Rabck bookbox from lauraloo29; returned; second in the Aincourt series. Author does a good job of tying just a little at the beginning and end of each book to tie the series together, but letting the central story stand alone. Richard is a widower, who returns to his ancestral home to do himself in due to his grief. Spirited governess Jessica, with a teen girl who is now Richard's ward, shows up on his doorstep unannounced - and takes him on. She's the only woman who has dared to speak to him that way, calling him a coward for contemplating killing himself and abandoning his guardianship. In a snowstorm, they wind up with a houseful of guests due to various carriages being unable to handle the snow...and an show more odd assortment of characters & a murder mystery ensue. show less

Com a vida arruinada, Richard, conde de Cleybourne, retorna para seu castelo no campo com o propósito de se recuperar da trágica perda que havia sofrido.Mas seus planos são interrompidos com a chegada de Jessica Maitland. A governanta ruiva e geniosa havia trazido Gabriela, de quem Richard seria o tutor. Como se sua presença já não fosse ruim o suficiente, Jessica revela que Gabriela corre perigo. Alguém quer se apoderar da fortuna damenina, talvez uma pessoa que o duque conheçamuito bem. Agora, devido a uma nevasca violenta, uma combinação estranha de hóspedes se instalou no castelo. E quando uma pessoa aparece morta, Richard e Jessica têm de descobrir quem é o assassino e solucionar o mistério, apesar de estarem show more mergulhados no mais apaixonado de todos os enigmas: os segredos de umcoração solitário. show less

Excellent romance, got caught up in the plot right away. I loved the opening to the book, the setup is full of intrigue and mystery. Both romantic leads are excellent, the romance plausible. The mystery is on hold for much of the middle of the book but is finished off with panache near the end.

Regency romance, duke/disgraced daughter combination, plenty of unusual touches to add some spice

Avvincente ed appassionante anche questo secondo volume che vede protagonisti il Duca di Cleybourne e Jessica, l’istitutrice della figlia Gabriela. I due uniranno le loro forze per risolvere un omicidio e un tentativo di furto che vede coinvolti uno strano gruppo di ospiti costretto a rifugiarsi al castello per una bufera di neve.

Fun read. Typical romance. Plucky heroine gets into mess, falls for wealthy, rich, handsome hero and it all works out in the end.