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Desire in Disguise #1
Miss Gabriel's Gambit
Besieged with flirtatious females, wealthy, handsome and eligible bachelor David Rutherford swears he will wed the first woman who can beat him at a game of chess.
217 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 1993
30 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Rita Boucher
14 books23 followersRita Boucher has always loved stories set in the Regency era, (not surprising, considering she grew up reading Georgette Heyer.) Her books are now available in both Kindle and print editions. She is currently living her own personal happily-ever-after with her husband in Maryland, working on new stories, keeping in touch with family and fans and indulging in an occasional game of chess.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 9, 2021
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Miss Gabriel's Gambit opens with David Rutherford, Lord Donhill, losing to a chess match that has been played for ten years through correspondence. He thinks he was playing Sir Miles, a man he met in India. However, as Sir Miles' health failed, his niece Sylvia took over and not only responded to David's letters but his chess moves. Despondent that his chess game is over, David gets into his cups and makes a wager that if any woman beats him at chess, he'll marry her. Once he learns that Sir Miles has died, he decides to pay his respects and questions who he actually was playing chess against those last years.
Now that he realized that a husband was the only honorable defense for a female in Sylvia’s exposed circumstance, he could not offer her that option, even if he wished. He had never reneged on a wager in his life.
After losing her parents when she was younger, Sylvia traveled with her uncle as he played chess matches, learning the game herself. When Sir Miles dies, she then is at the mercy of her aunt who treats her like a servant. She was set to become betrothed to Lord Hugo Highslip but when her dowry ends up missing, he backs off, not wanting to marry someone penniless. In her uncle's will, he left clues as to where her dowry, jewels and money, could be found but no one has been able to crack to the code and just assume her uncle lost the money in mismanagement. When David shows up at her aunt's home, she knows she has to protect her reputation, so she lies and says her brother William is the one who was sending the chess moves.
Does he feel more than friendship? She wondered. Does he feel this strange awareness, as if something wonderful and frightening is about to happen?
For a story that seemed to have a lot of threads involving chess, there wasn't a lot of chess in it. The only chess we get to see between Sylvia and David is the beginning ending move sent through correspondence, one quick game in public, and an at the very end sitting across from each other over board. I missed our leads making moves, testing each other over a chess board that translated to some delicious combative tension. What the story does deliver is a very vernacular and toned romance sub-genre Traditional Regency. There's a couple kisses but, for the most part, our leads don't get to spend a lot of time together one-on-one; if you've only been a reader of newly published Regency, you'll find the tone vastly different. There's a decided lack of romping around, sexually or heroine adventures.
So, the alternatives were either, William’s ruin or William’s death or, she added reluctantly, her ruin.
Even though our heroine doesn't defy convention by running around London, Sylvia is a strong and substantial character. I liked how she stood up for her cousins and self and used her smarts and anger over how the men were treating her to beat them at their own game. David reminded me of how a select amount of heroine's are portrayed today, he needs to wear glasses and is forever ruining his, already hapless attire, to polish them. This couple wasn't steamy but they had a nice harmony to them. I did miss a building up of their relationship, though. There's a misunderstanding and subsequent awfulness David acts toward Sylvia that was disappointing to see from him so late in the story and it made his realization to “I love you” towards Sylvia feel even more rushed.
As he crossed the floor towards her, she could read a promise in his face, an assurance that was almost as real as a comforting hand upon the shoulder. There was nothing to fear now that he had come.
There's mention of David and Sylvia spending time in India and a few appearances of David's servant Harjit but no real substance to either and the mystery and search for Sylvia's dowry only provides a faint reason to keep David in Sylvia's orbit rather than a fun treasure hunt. There was some villainy and rescuing but the action finally came about a bit too late in the story for me. The ending felt a little abrupt with finally out-loud admitted “I love you” but that could just be me used to newly published works almost always having epilogues. This was originally published in 1993 (I read the 2020 Kindle version, not sure if reworked) and it definitely has the Traditional Regency sub-genre feel, if looking for just kisses and Brummell to be a strong secondary character, then this would match that taste.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Miss Gabriel's Gambit opens with David Rutherford, Lord Donhill, losing to a chess match that has been played for ten years through correspondence. He thinks he was playing Sir Miles, a man he met in India. However, as Sir Miles' health failed, his niece Sylvia took over and not only responded to David's letters but his chess moves. Despondent that his chess game is over, David gets into his cups and makes a wager that if any woman beats him at chess, he'll marry her. Once he learns that Sir Miles has died, he decides to pay his respects and questions who he actually was playing chess against those last years.
Now that he realized that a husband was the only honorable defense for a female in Sylvia’s exposed circumstance, he could not offer her that option, even if he wished. He had never reneged on a wager in his life.
After losing her parents when she was younger, Sylvia traveled with her uncle as he played chess matches, learning the game herself. When Sir Miles dies, she then is at the mercy of her aunt who treats her like a servant. She was set to become betrothed to Lord Hugo Highslip but when her dowry ends up missing, he backs off, not wanting to marry someone penniless. In her uncle's will, he left clues as to where her dowry, jewels and money, could be found but no one has been able to crack to the code and just assume her uncle lost the money in mismanagement. When David shows up at her aunt's home, she knows she has to protect her reputation, so she lies and says her brother William is the one who was sending the chess moves.
Does he feel more than friendship? She wondered. Does he feel this strange awareness, as if something wonderful and frightening is about to happen?
For a story that seemed to have a lot of threads involving chess, there wasn't a lot of chess in it. The only chess we get to see between Sylvia and David is the beginning ending move sent through correspondence, one quick game in public, and an at the very end sitting across from each other over board. I missed our leads making moves, testing each other over a chess board that translated to some delicious combative tension. What the story does deliver is a very vernacular and toned romance sub-genre Traditional Regency. There's a couple kisses but, for the most part, our leads don't get to spend a lot of time together one-on-one; if you've only been a reader of newly published Regency, you'll find the tone vastly different. There's a decided lack of romping around, sexually or heroine adventures.
So, the alternatives were either, William’s ruin or William’s death or, she added reluctantly, her ruin.
Even though our heroine doesn't defy convention by running around London, Sylvia is a strong and substantial character. I liked how she stood up for her cousins and self and used her smarts and anger over how the men were treating her to beat them at their own game. David reminded me of how a select amount of heroine's are portrayed today, he needs to wear glasses and is forever ruining his, already hapless attire, to polish them. This couple wasn't steamy but they had a nice harmony to them. I did miss a building up of their relationship, though. There's a misunderstanding and subsequent awfulness David acts toward Sylvia that was disappointing to see from him so late in the story and it made his realization to “I love you” towards Sylvia feel even more rushed.
As he crossed the floor towards her, she could read a promise in his face, an assurance that was almost as real as a comforting hand upon the shoulder. There was nothing to fear now that he had come.
There's mention of David and Sylvia spending time in India and a few appearances of David's servant Harjit but no real substance to either and the mystery and search for Sylvia's dowry only provides a faint reason to keep David in Sylvia's orbit rather than a fun treasure hunt. There was some villainy and rescuing but the action finally came about a bit too late in the story for me. The ending felt a little abrupt with finally out-loud admitted “I love you” but that could just be me used to newly published works almost always having epilogues. This was originally published in 1993 (I read the 2020 Kindle version, not sure if reworked) and it definitely has the Traditional Regency sub-genre feel, if looking for just kisses and Brummell to be a strong secondary character, then this would match that taste.
January 18, 2021
Miss Gabriel's Gambit
Jilted Gentlewomen Series #1
Rita Boucher
Release date 12/22/2020
Publisher Oliver Herber Books
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Beautiful Sylvia Gabriel has more cause than most to despise the Game of Kings. Chess has been the ruination of her life ending her engagement, filching her fortune and reducing her to poor relation. But when she finds herself falling in love with chessmaster David Rutherford, the new Lord Donhill, Sylvia stakes her heart, her future and her reputation on the riskiest gambit of all.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will his pride blind him to love...
This author has been a discovery! A bit like when I felt upon a hilarious novella by Jill Barnett in a discounted bundle.
How I missed a lot of talented authors because else I was too busy or they were not translated before I decided to take myself in hand and self learn English language.
I am in love.
While checking the book, I discovered it is maybe in its third edition or even more, which I am glad or I would have walked by it, I just do not know it is was revisited, reedited with or without changes.
After reading it, I imagined the cover more like the new design in vogue, Instead of a picture, a graphic one with chinese puppet and one of the male figure crushed by a queen piece.
Sylvia and David are two great characters, yet Sylvia is definitely my kind of heroine, resilient without being meek, using her brain even when desperate, refusing to compromise although it could provide her what she wants. She stays true to herself.
David is suffering from the very common illness affection many alpha male, arrogance. Yet he is suffisant about his one talent as pawn pusher, with some justice but how wrong he is about many other things. But for his one gift with a chessboard, he appears like many scholars, lacking of fashion taste, always disheveled in crumpled clothes.
Why it was even more fun to have Brummell as a side character, with dry wit and good words he leads the game like David with pawns but his chessboard is the ballrooms of the ton.
And as his friends try to tame David’s appearance, he must learn to withdraw to better prepare his next attack as his hubris drives him on the wrong direction, even angering rightfully the miss he failed to understand and listen to.
A gem to discover or rediscover, a concentrate of wits, quips and cleverness with lively protagonists, plus a second romance brewing in the shadow of the main one.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 : passionate kissing.
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Oliver Herber, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Jilted Gentlewomen Series #1
Rita Boucher
Release date 12/22/2020
Publisher Oliver Herber Books
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Beautiful Sylvia Gabriel has more cause than most to despise the Game of Kings. Chess has been the ruination of her life ending her engagement, filching her fortune and reducing her to poor relation. But when she finds herself falling in love with chessmaster David Rutherford, the new Lord Donhill, Sylvia stakes her heart, her future and her reputation on the riskiest gambit of all.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will his pride blind him to love...
This author has been a discovery! A bit like when I felt upon a hilarious novella by Jill Barnett in a discounted bundle.
How I missed a lot of talented authors because else I was too busy or they were not translated before I decided to take myself in hand and self learn English language.
I am in love.
While checking the book, I discovered it is maybe in its third edition or even more, which I am glad or I would have walked by it, I just do not know it is was revisited, reedited with or without changes.
After reading it, I imagined the cover more like the new design in vogue, Instead of a picture, a graphic one with chinese puppet and one of the male figure crushed by a queen piece.
Sylvia and David are two great characters, yet Sylvia is definitely my kind of heroine, resilient without being meek, using her brain even when desperate, refusing to compromise although it could provide her what she wants. She stays true to herself.
David is suffering from the very common illness affection many alpha male, arrogance. Yet he is suffisant about his one talent as pawn pusher, with some justice but how wrong he is about many other things. But for his one gift with a chessboard, he appears like many scholars, lacking of fashion taste, always disheveled in crumpled clothes.
Why it was even more fun to have Brummell as a side character, with dry wit and good words he leads the game like David with pawns but his chessboard is the ballrooms of the ton.
And as his friends try to tame David’s appearance, he must learn to withdraw to better prepare his next attack as his hubris drives him on the wrong direction, even angering rightfully the miss he failed to understand and listen to.
A gem to discover or rediscover, a concentrate of wits, quips and cleverness with lively protagonists, plus a second romance brewing in the shadow of the main one.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 : passionate kissing.
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Oliver Herber, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
March 2, 2021
Chess is love
David has dim views of a woman's intellectual abilities to play chess! Sylvia imagined herself in love with an Earl her uncle knew better an disguised his fortune in chess moves! His last year of life he corresponded with David thru mail which was answered by Sylvia thru their letters she feels like she has known David for quite a while!
Believing herself to be without a dowry she lives with her aunt and is treated little better than a maid! David sees her and thinks to guilt her aunt into a season to help her but she doesn't want that attention! Sylvia knows that the Earl is dangerous and wants to stay far from him! William her brother loses money to the Earl and David misunderstood a conversation he overheard and offers her carte Blanche!! How can be get his foot out of his mouth? To save her brother William Sylvia wins a wager of her own!
But a madman is still after her is it too late for David to save a life and their love? Can she forgive him?
David has dim views of a woman's intellectual abilities to play chess! Sylvia imagined herself in love with an Earl her uncle knew better an disguised his fortune in chess moves! His last year of life he corresponded with David thru mail which was answered by Sylvia thru their letters she feels like she has known David for quite a while!
Believing herself to be without a dowry she lives with her aunt and is treated little better than a maid! David sees her and thinks to guilt her aunt into a season to help her but she doesn't want that attention! Sylvia knows that the Earl is dangerous and wants to stay far from him! William her brother loses money to the Earl and David misunderstood a conversation he overheard and offers her carte Blanche!! How can be get his foot out of his mouth? To save her brother William Sylvia wins a wager of her own!
But a madman is still after her is it too late for David to save a life and their love? Can she forgive him?
February 7, 2021
We first meet DAVID RUTHERFORD, Lord Donhill, as he is losing a game of chess that he has played by correspondence for many years. (Which is just amazing to consider – playing chess against someone you’ve never met, through snail mail).
There’s a fair bit of banter in the gentlemen’s club about the fact that he now needs to marry but that he doesn’t want to marry a fortune hunter and so will only marry a woman who can best him at chess.
Enter…SYLVIA GABRIEL who is connected to the person David was playing chess against, and who has very deep secrets to conceal.
The word ‘gambit’ in the title means “a chess opening in which a player risks one or more pawns or a minor piece to gain an advantage in position” and the whole book can be seen as a gambit – not just by Sylvia but by David as well, to gain a happy ending.
And so the story is set up – if David is sworn to only marry someone who can beat him at chess, how can Sylvia hope to have any chance with him? A good question and certainly a change from the ‘big misunderstanding’ (which is usually resolved simply by the two protagonists having a chat!)
What did I particularly like?
The amount of research done by Ms Boucher on chess is evident throughout the book. (It is of course possible that she is a chess player herself but I couldn’t find that information online, so I’m assuming that it was all research based on her part).
You don’t have to play chess yourself to enjoy the book though which is lucky as it does play a strong theme throughout the story.
Much of what I liked about the book came nearer the second half of the book so I can’t talk too much about it without spoilers.
One thing I can say is how refreshing it was to have a supportive relationship between the heroine and her cousin, even though Sylvia is the ‘poor relation’ in this scenario.
I also (oddly for me) liked the ‘cute child’ in the story. Normally I find cute children a bit too cute but Ms Boucher actually made me care about him!
What did I dislike about the book?
The comments about ‘women being stupid’ did go on a bit too long in my opinion – I understand that they were necessary as part of scene setting but it did grate a bit.
Also, I felt the use of David’s Russian friend as a comedic sidekick, based purely on his difficulties with the English language, was not really appropriate so that did tend to jerk me out of my state of suspended belief every so often.
So in summary?
A nice light book that does dip a bit too far into the ‘women are stupid’ trope on occasion but redeems itself with a strong female character who stays strong rather than wilting at the first sign of trouble.
The chess theme makes for an interesting mystery whilst I very much liked the heroine’s interactions with the villain at the climax of the book (hopefully that’s not too spoilerish!)
I recommend it for anyone who likes a gentler hero, damsels in distress (who don’t need a prince to save them), cute children and a flavouring of mystery!
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
There’s a fair bit of banter in the gentlemen’s club about the fact that he now needs to marry but that he doesn’t want to marry a fortune hunter and so will only marry a woman who can best him at chess.
Enter…SYLVIA GABRIEL who is connected to the person David was playing chess against, and who has very deep secrets to conceal.
The word ‘gambit’ in the title means “a chess opening in which a player risks one or more pawns or a minor piece to gain an advantage in position” and the whole book can be seen as a gambit – not just by Sylvia but by David as well, to gain a happy ending.
And so the story is set up – if David is sworn to only marry someone who can beat him at chess, how can Sylvia hope to have any chance with him? A good question and certainly a change from the ‘big misunderstanding’ (which is usually resolved simply by the two protagonists having a chat!)
What did I particularly like?
The amount of research done by Ms Boucher on chess is evident throughout the book. (It is of course possible that she is a chess player herself but I couldn’t find that information online, so I’m assuming that it was all research based on her part).
You don’t have to play chess yourself to enjoy the book though which is lucky as it does play a strong theme throughout the story.
Much of what I liked about the book came nearer the second half of the book so I can’t talk too much about it without spoilers.
One thing I can say is how refreshing it was to have a supportive relationship between the heroine and her cousin, even though Sylvia is the ‘poor relation’ in this scenario.
I also (oddly for me) liked the ‘cute child’ in the story. Normally I find cute children a bit too cute but Ms Boucher actually made me care about him!
What did I dislike about the book?
The comments about ‘women being stupid’ did go on a bit too long in my opinion – I understand that they were necessary as part of scene setting but it did grate a bit.
Also, I felt the use of David’s Russian friend as a comedic sidekick, based purely on his difficulties with the English language, was not really appropriate so that did tend to jerk me out of my state of suspended belief every so often.
So in summary?
A nice light book that does dip a bit too far into the ‘women are stupid’ trope on occasion but redeems itself with a strong female character who stays strong rather than wilting at the first sign of trouble.
The chess theme makes for an interesting mystery whilst I very much liked the heroine’s interactions with the villain at the climax of the book (hopefully that’s not too spoilerish!)
I recommend it for anyone who likes a gentler hero, damsels in distress (who don’t need a prince to save them), cute children and a flavouring of mystery!
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
January 24, 2024
I remember reading this years and years ago, which makes sense since it's maybe 30 years old? And for the most part, this held up. It's about Sylvia Gabriel, secret chess fanatic, accompanying her cousin & Aunt to London. She doesn't get a season because she's a poor relation (oh right, this is a historical romance), first her parents dying then her beloved chess-mad Uncle. But forget all that and focus on the CHESS. She continued writing letters and making chess moves to her Uncle's friend David Rutherford, now knowing he was dashing and not 80. Well, not 80. He lived in India for a while and moved to London and was going to seek Hugh out but learned he had died, which brings him to the mystery - who was he playing chess with? He also made a drunken bet that he wouldn't marry a women unless she could beat him at chess. This is setting us up for the best part of the book where, you guessed it, they play chess. I don't want to spoil anything but it's pretty obvious that's where this is going. Ultimately I loved the chess angle and her competency and skill with it. (I'm sensing a theme of loving my FMC to be capable and intelligent.) The end of the book has some CW stuff in it, like attempted kidnapping/SA and that sort of thing, so make sure you're up for that before reading. (If not, stop at the nephew lowering the basket for his 1st round of food at the ball.) Rating this higher than I might normally because the plot has stuck with me for over 20 years.
May 12, 2021
First time reading this author. This book hit the mark - unusual handsome hero, beautiful downtrodden heroine, a really despicable villian. David is a rich baronet who is an unbeatable genius at the game of chess. He very foolishly makes a vow which is the premse of the story. Enter Sylvia also a genius at chess, but society cannot, will not accept that. As an unpaid servant of her mean-spirited aunt, her life is very complicated. Once David enters it, it becomes even more so. I really liked the way they worked through it to an HEA.
My favorite side character must be Petrov and he gets his own HEA. And of course Miles who is actually the hero of the moment.
Kisses only.
Highly recommended.
My favorite side character must be Petrov and he gets his own HEA. And of course Miles who is actually the hero of the moment.
Kisses only.
Highly recommended.
April 14, 2022
I did enjoy it but.....
I get tired of the hero and heroine constantly misinterpreting each others expressions and their constant attempt to save face in case the other one discovered their true feelings. A lot of unnecessary frustration that does not lend itself to enjoyable build up of suspense. Also no epilogue. I mostly enjoyed the young nine year old Miles. He was by far the smartest of them all!
I get tired of the hero and heroine constantly misinterpreting each others expressions and their constant attempt to save face in case the other one discovered their true feelings. A lot of unnecessary frustration that does not lend itself to enjoyable build up of suspense. Also no epilogue. I mostly enjoyed the young nine year old Miles. He was by far the smartest of them all!
February 14, 2022
nice read
This story uses the game of chess as a background plot as the storyline continues on in the relationship of a master chess player and a young lady who was a daughter/niece of two former chess masters. After overcoming misunderstandings and obstacles they find their hea
This story uses the game of chess as a background plot as the storyline continues on in the relationship of a master chess player and a young lady who was a daughter/niece of two former chess masters. After overcoming misunderstandings and obstacles they find their hea
December 21, 2020
This is the first book by Rita Boucher I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both the hero and heroine are intelligent adults. The background of chess makes it very interesting. Highly recommend this book. Now I’m going to find other books by RB!
February 25, 2021
Absolutely brilliant, perfectly paced. I rarely write reviews but this book inspired me due to great writing, delightful characters and its ingenious, engrossing plot. I am now searching for everything by Rita.
August 5, 2021
Il miglior modo per incontrare quella che è per me una nuova autrice: un 'romance' discreto, senza eccessive smancerie, ben costruito intorno a un'idea originale e con protagonisti coerenti. Non un capolavoro, ma un modo gradevole per trascorrere qualche ora di un'estate caldissima
December 23, 2020
A sweet historical with a plot steeped in the intellectual game of chess; very unique.
Just the right amount of romance and secret suspense.
Just the right amount of romance and secret suspense.
January 3, 2021
A delightful intriguing story. David will marry the first woman who beats him at a game of chess. Little does he know how this will end. Loved the characters.
February 24, 2022
Enjoyable twist on typical regency
Yes there are all the familiar elements and a happily ever after, but also some variations on the usual characters. A good read
Yes there are all the familiar elements and a happily ever after, but also some variations on the usual characters. A good read
December 10, 2023
Maybe deserves a better rating. But don't remember it at all. OTOH I kept it.
December 23, 2020
A delightfully sweet book. Sylvia is an extraordinary character she is fiercely loyal and full of optimism. David reminds me of an absentminded professor. He has his money and his loyal friend but doesn’t realize he is also handsome. The story follows their unique courtship as well as that of her cousin and David’s friend. Her young cousin is a sweetheart and he will make you laugh. Good story.
December 26, 2020
At first I was a little put off by the darkness of the cover, but as I read this book I realized what a great book it is! It is about Sylvia Gabriel, an heiress to an unfound fortune who is being treated like a poor relation. Through a series of events she meets David Rutherford. Lord Donhill, and realizes that he is the man that she and her uncle have been playing chess with by mail for the past decade. I enjoyed the mystery, romance, and suspense in the book. This is the first book I have read by Rita Boucher but it will not be the last. Thanks to Oliver-Heber Books for the ARC. I really enjoyed it!
December 24, 2020
An absolutely intriguing book as always. There’s no way you won’t love it. Fell in love with Miss Gabriel.
December 22, 2014
Cute, liked the chess references, liked the villain’s end, disliked the slightly mystic (and rather unnecessary) references to kali
June 18, 2022
A good book about real people
One might say that they were childish, too strong in emotion. But one is often childish when it comes to the matters of the heart. This book has left me in an awfully poetic mood, which I thoroughly enjoy. It has twists and turns, and flare which gives it a fairytale feeling.
A well worth read on a summers night!
One might say that they were childish, too strong in emotion. But one is often childish when it comes to the matters of the heart. This book has left me in an awfully poetic mood, which I thoroughly enjoy. It has twists and turns, and flare which gives it a fairytale feeling.
A well worth read on a summers night!
June 8, 2014
Delightful! Although the main characters are chess players, one need not play the game to enjoy the story.
November 22, 2016
Badass heroine, wish the hero had been more so.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews