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Wicked Sons #12
What Lies Beneath
A troublesome governess…
Mrs Harris has been in the Earl of Ashburton’s employ for over five years. His daughter, Tilly, adores her, and despite enduring a good many insults and snide comments from the prickly woman, Ashburton respects her and admires her devotion to Tilly.
Yet…
There is something else, something about the woman that nags at him, bothers him, and refuses to let him be. Like a wasp at a picnic, he cannot help but return his attention to her.
What is it about the prim and proper woman with spectacles that is driving him distracted?
A woman with a secret identity…
Mrs Regina Harris is a fraud.
She is not called Regina Harris, has never been married, and is not really a governess. Despite that, she credits herself with having done an excellent job with the earl’s wilful and rather spoilt daughter, for though she is illegitimate, Tilly is the apple of the earl's eye. Not that it has been a hardship, for Tilly is an adorable minx, and life at Goshen Court is beautiful, and as for the earl…
No, she won’t think about the earl, for that would be the biggest mistake she could possibly make.
Well, maybe not the biggest. Her biggest mistake might be taking her revenge on the two men who forced her to run away from home and assume a fake identity. It might be writing the story of her life, and not adequately disguising fact from fiction, so that everything she has done to keep herself safely hidden is suddenly in jeopardy.
Her time is running out. Eventually, the façade will crumble, and the earl will see her for who she really is. Except Regina isn’t sure she knows who that is anymore.
Mrs Harris has been in the Earl of Ashburton’s employ for over five years. His daughter, Tilly, adores her, and despite enduring a good many insults and snide comments from the prickly woman, Ashburton respects her and admires her devotion to Tilly.
Yet…
There is something else, something about the woman that nags at him, bothers him, and refuses to let him be. Like a wasp at a picnic, he cannot help but return his attention to her.
What is it about the prim and proper woman with spectacles that is driving him distracted?
A woman with a secret identity…
Mrs Regina Harris is a fraud.
She is not called Regina Harris, has never been married, and is not really a governess. Despite that, she credits herself with having done an excellent job with the earl’s wilful and rather spoilt daughter, for though she is illegitimate, Tilly is the apple of the earl's eye. Not that it has been a hardship, for Tilly is an adorable minx, and life at Goshen Court is beautiful, and as for the earl…
No, she won’t think about the earl, for that would be the biggest mistake she could possibly make.
Well, maybe not the biggest. Her biggest mistake might be taking her revenge on the two men who forced her to run away from home and assume a fake identity. It might be writing the story of her life, and not adequately disguising fact from fiction, so that everything she has done to keep herself safely hidden is suddenly in jeopardy.
Her time is running out. Eventually, the façade will crumble, and the earl will see her for who she really is. Except Regina isn’t sure she knows who that is anymore.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2025
446 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Emma V. Leech
110 books801 followersBestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.
Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.
EMMA’S BOOKS
Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!
Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.
A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.
The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.
Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.
Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.
Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.
The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.
The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.
The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.
The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.
Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.
EMMA’S BOOKS
Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!
Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.
A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.
The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.
Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.
Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.
Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.
The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.
The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.
The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.
The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 12, 2025
A Governess for the Earl
I absolutely loved Philip & Regina’s story. She had run away from the most unwelcome marriage and dond a disguise to hide her real identity.
For the past 5 years Regina has been the Governess to the Earl of Asburtons daughter Tilly.
Regina knows her time is limited but she lives Tilly like she was her own daughter. She’s even grown closer to the Earl and more comfortable around him so she has relaxed the way she has hidden herself these past 5 years. With her writing about her like, people will soon realize whom the story’s is about.
With so much at stake can she risk her heart and her love for Tilly.
Such a beautifully written story with a wonderful ending.
I absolutely loved Philip & Regina’s story. She had run away from the most unwelcome marriage and dond a disguise to hide her real identity.
For the past 5 years Regina has been the Governess to the Earl of Asburtons daughter Tilly.
Regina knows her time is limited but she lives Tilly like she was her own daughter. She’s even grown closer to the Earl and more comfortable around him so she has relaxed the way she has hidden herself these past 5 years. With her writing about her like, people will soon realize whom the story’s is about.
With so much at stake can she risk her heart and her love for Tilly.
Such a beautifully written story with a wonderful ending.
June 11, 2025
Oh Ashburton
Goodness...what a fitting denouement to this wonderful series. I'm relieved Ms. Leech will be returning to this series eventually but I am looking forward to her new adventures she has planned.
In this book you will find Pip realizing he's not as smart as he thinks he is... Mrs. Harris is not as immune to Lord Ashburton as she thinks she is AND we find out the ending to His Grace and Disfavor. There is a lot of action in this book. You will be happy to know there is a wonderful ending and Montague has a part in that! Read this as soon as you can!!
Goodness...what a fitting denouement to this wonderful series. I'm relieved Ms. Leech will be returning to this series eventually but I am looking forward to her new adventures she has planned.
In this book you will find Pip realizing he's not as smart as he thinks he is... Mrs. Harris is not as immune to Lord Ashburton as she thinks she is AND we find out the ending to His Grace and Disfavor. There is a lot of action in this book. You will be happy to know there is a wonderful ending and Montague has a part in that! Read this as soon as you can!!
June 15, 2025
4 Stars
A really nice ending to the series! I think this might be one of my favorites (in this series)? Overall, I thought the Wicked Sons were VERY hit or miss. And even the ones I enjoyed aren't at the level of Emma's pervious series...
I enjoyed the nanny x father set up we get. We have seen this couple building for most of this series, and I thought this was a very nice conclusion. I really enjoyed the banter between Pip and Harry - it was really cute. I could barely put this down and basically read it within one sitting - I so badly wanted to see how this ended. I typically do not enjoy books with children, but Tilly is so lovable I didn't mind.
I can't give this 5 stars because at times it lacked tension and depth. I felt like it was a tad rushed in some places? I wish we had gotten to know Pip a lot more...
A really nice ending to the series! I think this might be one of my favorites (in this series)? Overall, I thought the Wicked Sons were VERY hit or miss. And even the ones I enjoyed aren't at the level of Emma's pervious series...
I enjoyed the nanny x father set up we get. We have seen this couple building for most of this series, and I thought this was a very nice conclusion. I really enjoyed the banter between Pip and Harry - it was really cute. I could barely put this down and basically read it within one sitting - I so badly wanted to see how this ended. I typically do not enjoy books with children, but Tilly is so lovable I didn't mind.
I can't give this 5 stars because at times it lacked tension and depth. I felt like it was a tad rushed in some places? I wish we had gotten to know Pip a lot more...
August 16, 2025
A very SKIN OF ITS TEETH 4 stars. This along with Hart’s story is the closest Leech has gotten to recapturing the magic of her previous 2 series - which for reasons unknown to me this series has woefully lacked in. I think this had some pacing issues at the end when all the action happened very fast and similar to the previous books, the tension that had been built up was all too easily vanquished by the good guys with little to no effort. The very last bit of action seemed misplaced and perhaps would have been better when the characters were in the thick of it pre Christmas? I also feel like the undercurrent of Harry’s story in this book was a little too trite and too on the nose, and the fact that society discovered who she was easily seemed silly given how hard she has worked to hide her identity. So, as I said, this is a very soft 4 stars. The chemistry between her and Pip and the relationship they both share with Tilly is what really won me in this book - without that this would have been a firm 3 star.
July 3, 2025
interesting characters
First Leech book I’ve truly enjoyed in awhile, but I’ve not read a lot of the Wicked Son’s series, as I sort of stopped finding character flat & insipid.
So this was a breath of fresh air. I found myself making time to read more, as I found all the characters, even minor ones entertaining in various ways. Had read enough of the Soms’ series to know of Pip’s struggles with having not been there for Tilly’s mother and his devotion to Tilly, as well as the delightful character of Tilly.
Genevieve’s (aka Mrs. Harris, aka Harry) struggles with her grandfather were believable and her decisions and actions that followed.
The unfolding of the love story was believable and I truly enjoyed reading it.
First Leech book I’ve truly enjoyed in awhile, but I’ve not read a lot of the Wicked Son’s series, as I sort of stopped finding character flat & insipid.
So this was a breath of fresh air. I found myself making time to read more, as I found all the characters, even minor ones entertaining in various ways. Had read enough of the Soms’ series to know of Pip’s struggles with having not been there for Tilly’s mother and his devotion to Tilly, as well as the delightful character of Tilly.
Genevieve’s (aka Mrs. Harris, aka Harry) struggles with her grandfather were believable and her decisions and actions that followed.
The unfolding of the love story was believable and I truly enjoyed reading it.
June 6, 2025
Just as boring as all the other books in this series. I was looking forward to Pip's story and it failed flat. There are some good Lord/Governess romances and this isn't one. Nothing really happened but LOTS of inner thoughts and miscellaneous talks. I miss the author's witty and fun dialogue even drama filled dialogue. I miss the formula of her previous Daring series.
June 7, 2025
Loved it!
Loved Pip & Vivi/Harry’s story, great as a standalone but having read this series starting with the Girls Who Dare, Daring Daughters, and Wicked Sons - it was wonderful seeing Pip find his HEA. Emma V Leech just knows how to bring wonderful characters together and watching them develop their feelings is a joy to read.
Loved Pip & Vivi/Harry’s story, great as a standalone but having read this series starting with the Girls Who Dare, Daring Daughters, and Wicked Sons - it was wonderful seeing Pip find his HEA. Emma V Leech just knows how to bring wonderful characters together and watching them develop their feelings is a joy to read.
July 14, 2025
Ashburton has known Tilly’s governess for over five years and over the recent times he has been looking at her closely recently and realizes he is drawn to her especially as she is so loved by Tilly. Then when her secret is revealed he also comes to her aid as danger follows. After which they find their hea
September 28, 2025
Absolutely Wonderful, Entertaining & Romantic.The Story was Wonderful & Entertaining.
Genevieve (Regina) & Phillip (Pip) were wonderful characters as was Otillie (Tilly).
This series was Absolutely Wonderful, Delightful, Entertaining & Romantic.
I am sad the series is over, but look forward to reading more books by Emma V Leech.
Genevieve (Regina) & Phillip (Pip) were wonderful characters as was Otillie (Tilly).
This series was Absolutely Wonderful, Delightful, Entertaining & Romantic.
I am sad the series is over, but look forward to reading more books by Emma V Leech.
June 7, 2025
I can't believe this the last book!
I have so enjoyed these lovely romances all tied together by a group of young women that dared to be happy. Happy ever afters with a dose of spice. Recommended!
I have so enjoyed these lovely romances all tied together by a group of young women that dared to be happy. Happy ever afters with a dose of spice. Recommended!
June 11, 2025
a lovely finale
I was so looking forward to this wicked son , Pip Barrington and was not disappointed. Have loved reading all this series, so good, sad to find it the last. Hopefully the author will find the other unmarried sons to continue and spin their stories in the future.
I was so looking forward to this wicked son , Pip Barrington and was not disappointed. Have loved reading all this series, so good, sad to find it the last. Hopefully the author will find the other unmarried sons to continue and spin their stories in the future.
June 12, 2025
A superb ending to the series, with lots of action, some angst, excellent dialogue and a feeling of coming full circle with the Montagu Family. I really didn’t want it to finish. The author definitely saved the best until last. Montagu’s heir and Harry were perfect ❤️
July 23, 2025
A fitting finale for this set of books and I liked that this was a story with a long burn through the series in the same way as Pip's parents story ran through the Peculiar Ladies stories. The characters came into full bloom and had a fine plot to bring their relationship to a fitting conclusion.
August 20, 2025
Emma does it again
I have read and reread this series so much I feel I know the characters personally. I’ll be so sad to leave them and not follow their lives forward but I will visit them again soon. An absolute must read!
I have read and reread this series so much I feel I know the characters personally. I’ll be so sad to leave them and not follow their lives forward but I will visit them again soon. An absolute must read!
June 6, 2025
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve been waiting for Pip and Harry’s story and it did not disappoint. Highly recommended read.
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve been waiting for Pip and Harry’s story and it did not disappoint. Highly recommended read.
June 8, 2025
A great way to end the series.
June 9, 2025
wonderful!
This book was well worth the wait. I enjoyed every minute of reading it. The problem is that I read them too fast. A fantastic ending to the series.
This book was well worth the wait. I enjoyed every minute of reading it. The problem is that I read them too fast. A fantastic ending to the series.
June 13, 2025
Such a wonderful collection of series! Sad it’s over but looking forward to what’s next from Emma!
July 25, 2025
Emma, you did it again, I loved reading about Pip from the beginning of this series, sad that is over. Looking forward to the next ones.
September 1, 2025
I’m sad this series is over… for now.
Was anyone else satisfied by Montagu landing a facer? I think it made me entirely too happy.
Was anyone else satisfied by Montagu landing a facer? I think it made me entirely too happy.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews