The Devil May Care

Rogues & Gentlemen #4

by Emma V. Leech

Dishonoured and ashamed, the ton's scandalous darling, 'Beau' the Marquis of Beaumont, is forced to flee England to escape debtor's prison.
After a chance encounter, it appears Miss Millicent Sparrow is his only remaining friend, however unlikely.
Miss Sparrow lives up to her name. Damaged and terrified by her cousin's violent abuse, Milly is used to being overlooked and prefers it that way, until the desperation of her bleak world is gilded by rakishly handsome Beau's extraordinary friendship.
Miss Sparrow’s lively letters help Beau through his banishment and when his father dies suddenly and Beau inherits the Dukedom, he seeks out his little bird. To his shock he finds a woman in despair and, moved by pity, he offers her the protection of his name by marriage.
But Milly becomes impossible to overlook, and the more Beau needs his wife, the less interested she seems in her gorgeous husband.
For this rake, getting a woman's attention has never been so complicated.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Regency Romance

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2017

About the author

Bestselling 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.

Reviews

[Jilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm feeling especially bitchy tonight. I'm dieting and you all know that I usually run on chocolate and alcohol. Is it wrong that I'm considering eating a container of fat-free cool whip just to make it through the night? And, vodka doesn't have calories, does it? Oooh, how about a vodka cool whip float? That might help bring me down to less-homicidal.


I need this cat so I'm not the fattest thing in the house.
Actually, my dog is pretty fat too.
Self-esteem rising...

Considering all of this, the fact that I gave this book a good rating means it was pretty damn good. It contained one of my favorite character-types in Historical Romance - the reformed rake. Oh, hell, I love a good rake. Preferably a funny one. I've always said that if I were a girl just coming into society in London, I would only need one good gown for the one ball I would attend before being ruined by a rake. It would be spectacular! I would walk in, enchanting as hell, of course. Then, I would meet the rake, he'd make me laugh - BAM - ruined. Because, you see, I'm a laugh-whore. Make me laugh and I'm your bitch. Of course, if I make YOU laugh, I consider you MY bitch. I think I'd do well in prison. I understand the whole owning bitches thing....


I heard that guy is not only a great hairdresser, but super hilarious.

This book had a hero who I guess was the bad guy in the previous book. I didn't read it - I'm picking this one up mid-series. That's right. I'm a rule-breaker. I'm a bad girl! Tags on my mattress? Gone! I cut those bitches.



He meets up with this very mousy girl and they start a friendship. Eventually, he offers to marry her out of pity to protect her from her asswipe cousin that she lives with. And, it's on! Romance-novel style. Because you know these two crazy kids will eventually fall in love after a lot of pretending to just be friends. It's gonna be a little angsty, but that's okay.


He'll get out of the ye olde friend zoneth.

I loved both of the characters in this book and the writing was great. I am thinking of going back in time to read the earlier books in the series. Maybe. When I feel like it.

[Jultri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5. This was an impulsive download from KU as I have never heard of the author previously and what a pleasant surprise it is. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, the period appropriate dialogue and behaviours and the likeable protagonists.

The start of the book saw us introduced to a less than exemplary hero, one who was about to flee England in disgrace following his failed attempted abduction of his best friend's fiancee in a desperate effort to rectify his dire financial state. Marquis of Beaumont, commonly known as Beau, had been estranged from his hateful father for many years. The Duke of Ware regarded his son as a dismal failure and and yet Beau had been able to maintain his popularity in the ton with his good looks and charming ways which had enchanted many a lady. His amorous adventures were frequently mentioned the gossip sheets, which only served to enhance polite society's fascination with him.

Millicent Sparrow, true to her name, was a wisp of girl favouring browns to match her brown hair, brown eyes and indistinct looks. However, despite her timid and hesitant manners and her fragile looks, she mustered the courage to approach Beau in a park to thank him for being the only person to come to her aid after she succumbed to one of her seizures at a ball. Orphaned in her early teens, she was made a ward of her odious cousin who subjected her to daily intimidation, threats and abuse. Beau's action had been one of very few acts of kindness she had experienced since her parents' passing, and she instantly had a bad case of hero-worshipping.

They struck up an friendly rapport fanned by their respective isolation and even though it was highly inappropriate, agreed to keep up a platonic correspondence while he waited out the scandal his disgraceful and ill-thought out conduct in the kidnapping saga had brought him. Beau's empathy with Milly had a lot to do with the fact that his beloved twin brother died as a result of his seizure disorder many years earlier.

The unexpected death of his father, brought the new Duke of Ware back to English shores. One of the first things Beau did upon his return was to seek out Milly, whose amusing and clever letters had kept the misery and boredom at bay while he was in self-imposed exile in France. Beau was horrified to find his little friend even thinner and looking more haunted than before. When he discovered the extent of her cousin's abusive treatment of this gentle and witty woman, he stepped in to the rescue and offered her marriage of convenience as the only suitable way to get her out of her dismal situation. Little did he know that in marrying her, he ultimately became the one who was rescued. His fragile little bird gradually became his champion and protector, fighting off his fearsome and malicious grandmother and the ghosts of his childhood as she blossomed physically and mentally. Milly turned the cold and uninviting ducal residence into a home and provided his undeserving soul, aimless and adrift for too long, a safe harbour. Soon, he was desperate to change their companionable arrangement into something, not only more physical, but also more emotionally committed. She, though, was determined to keep him at arm's length.

“If I was embarrassed by you I would hardly have married you. I am damned, however, if I will allow you to treat me in the same way you were forced to deal with your despicable cousin. Or am I to take it that you view us in the same light, Milly? Is that it?” Her eyes flew open and he was relieved at least to believe in the look of horror he saw there. “No! How could you ever believe I would think ...” “How the bloody hell am I ever to know what you think? You never talk to me!”



And why was it those bloody high necked, long-sleeved dresses were beginning to play on his mind in such a devious manner? It was getting to the point where he thought he might actually run mad if he was granted a glimpse of bare skin.


Beau was very sweet and caring, always on the alert for any agitation she might experience (which would put Milly at risk of a seizure) and at the ready to soothe and comfort her. He respected her remarkable intellect and worked hard to show her that he was more than just the hedonistic rake, she had read about in the gossip pages. He even took her to the museum to impress her with his studied knowledge:


“Even I can learn something from a guide book, love.” Her smile fell and she frowned for a moment. Reaching out she placed her hand on his chest. “Don’t do that, Beau,” she said, sadness in her eyes. “I know how much more there is than just that beautiful face. You don’t need to prove it to me. Not to me.” The guide called them to come and see some point of interest and the moment was gone. Beau swallowed and they moved forward again, but he wished he’d been able to tell her - she was the only one he wanted to prove it to.


They didn't consummate the marriage until past the 60% mark, but the heat was already well and truly felt, once Beau decided he would seduce his young wife. Okay, her 5 orgasms in a row during their first time was just over the top, but otherwise the sex was sizzling without being crude. I did also scratch my head a bit at Milly's comment about not being able to give him children because she was fearful of passing on her epilepsy to their offsprings, considering his own brother had epilepsy also.

Overall, this was an unexpected joy to read. I will definitely check out her other books.

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great premise and setting of tone.
But the book lost me at many a place and on one particular irritant.
Still a good book.

*spoilers*
Opposites attract and how!
Who doesn’t love a plane Jane, mousy h who is secretly smitten and slavishly devoted to a flamboyant man she has admired for years, from afar especially when she manages to land him as her husband? Even more so as this happens through a credible friends-to-marriage route.

I loved the beginning as how they become friends and it’s no forced or unbelievable connection despite their completely different personalities and lifestyles. He might be a dissolute wastrel who was the villain in the previous book, rightly hated and reviled (while being admired as well) by many but his actions towards her have always been kind and generous. Whether it’s off pages from the last book or in the present. When he briefly flees to France, they start a correspondence that was amazingly sweet and amusing. He comes back and acts as her savior knight again, and here he proposes a moc/mino to her. The odds are all heavily stacked in her favor but she demurs (for his sake) but of course, quickly relents.

So, they marry with the understanding that they will give each other space and more (other women in his case) but he soon gets smitten by his slowly (and reluctantly) blooming wife. She doesn’t want him to take any romantic/sexual interest in her as she values his friendship above all else but he slowly starts pushing the envelope.
And herein lies the problem.

I am all for character development and strong, opinionated women but the h takes it bit too seriously and remains on her own trip. She goes from a sweetly infatuated and stubbornly devoted girl to an overconfident and independent wife who, not only charts an independent and secretive path but now doesn’t seem to like or respect him enough. While he follows her around like a lost and kicked puppy. Yes, his (initial) words do not match his present (courting) actions and she feels uncomfortable and wary of allowing intimacy that might prove fleeting. But, with her indifference, she comes across as mean and callous at times. Meanwhile, his character growth (from the last book) is admirable.
And so, too much role reversal for me!

The sex scenes are blazing hot!
Lots of expected anachronisms.
The h’s fits/seizures are used as a convenient plot developer - his dead brother being similarly afflicted and so his empathy from the beginning - and I see no other reason/purpose for adding it. Either show an episode of seizure as it would unfold or don’t. It won’t be just her ‘having a fit’ .

I love the H. The h not as much.

[Emilia Redington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a guilty pleasure. So angsty, sweet, hot and everything right.

[AM · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh Lord. This author has apparently done no research or simply doesn't care to construct a logical plot.

In the first chapter, Beau flees England to escape his creditors. Yet, when he returns after his father's death, not a single mention is made of those debts. In fact, he has enough money on him to buy a special license the very next day.

Setting aside the idea that the Archbishop - mistakenly called the Bishop in this book - cleared an hour in his schedule for a scandalous debtor on no notice whatsoever, Milly is a minor and does not have her guardian's consent to marry. So now we're supposed to believe that the Archbishop has issued a special license for an illegal marriage.

The guardian is described as abusive and hateful. Surely he would have made trouble for them? Maybe demanded a massive settlement or something? But, no, this obvious legal hurdle and possibly exciting plot complication is completely ignored.

They are married that afternoon, in the parlor of Beau's townhouse. Wait... what? This dude fled England weeks ago because of debts. But somehow his servants are still in his home when he returns. Have they been paying the rent? I mean, one has to assume that he was living in rented bachelor's quarters before leaving the country. But now he's in a townhouse. So which highly unlikely thing has occurred here?

A. Despite being completely cut off from the family money and living on (and, eventually, over) the edge of ruin for the last 8 years, Beau owns a London townhouse.

-- or --

B. Though he returned from France too quickly to even send a letter warning of his impending arrival, Beau has, in 1.5 days: picked up his 3 elderly but loyal staff from his rented rooms, moved into the ducal townhouse, hired an army of temporary maids and footmen to open and clean the closed up townhouse, obtained a special license, and married.

Oh, and don't think those cleaning efforts were overseen by his housekeeper, because she was too busy buying the food for and cooking a two-course wedding dinner with 12 dishes.

Y'all, this could all so easily have been fixed. There is no reason - none! - why this wedding couldn't have taken place a few days later. This is pure, unadulterated laziness on the part of the author and editor. It's insulting to readers.

[the red stockings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a GOOD HR ! That was my first book from this author whom I have never heard about before in the HR realm, such a loss !
Multidimensional characters + character growth + no-alpha-a** + have-to-root-for-darling hero + not-rushed-storyline + well-written story = a very pleasant reading !
Out of everything, it is seeing Millie Sparrow opening up & becoming the person she should have always been, that was truly wonderful & made this story stands out !!! Bravo as we say in French !

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impulsive read. 4 stars for the chemistry in some scenes but 3 stars overall since I skimmed this about halfway through.

The Devil May Care is my first book to this series, not sure what was going on before, but apparently Beau tried to kidnap his best friend's fiance in the last book? Anyways, Beau meets Milly Sparrow, a shy-looking wallflower type, at a park, when he's feeling a bit down on himself. They begin a letter correspondence when he leaves England, after fighting a duel and other things that force him to leave the country and cool his heels in France for a while.

Upon his father's death, he returns to England, he happens to see Milly at the park, where they first met. Up to this point, their friendship has been one where they both enjoy having a pen pal. Milly has admired him after he took care of her when she had a seizure in public, and Beau finds Milly a nice but also funny person. Their letters to each other weren't the greatest, but my attention was gripped when we find out why Milly is so shy and nervous, and Beau takes it upon himself to marry her to protect her, and to avoid having to be in the marriage mart.

Milly is now in a conundrum because she loves Beau but worries that if she shows it, Beau will be uncomfortable or try to be kind to her, and their easygoing friendship will suffer as a result. Therefore, she continues to bind her chest, wear false glasses, and pull her hair back from her face, and even avoiding time with him.

This, amusingly, trips Beau out, especially after he realizes Milly is attractive but hiding it, and he starts to believe that Milly doesn't find him attractive, or that she does but in an abstract, detached way, like viewing aesthetically-pleasing art. He also starts to think that Milly thinks he is shallow and superficial so he ends up going to the British Museum to know everything about the art before he takes her there.

I enjoyed this, and I also particularly enjoyed how jealous Beau became. So, while at first I rolled my eyes at Milly's decision to avoid Beau, I liked how it played out.

I did end up skimming this about halfway through.

[Addie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 15%

[Chetna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, I wld have given it 5stars rating if and only if it was disclosed what happened to My lady's future, there were only talks abt renewing it, but nothing was touched on it. considering it was such a vital part!
Also no mention of how Beau felt/reacted abt milly's business partner.

Felt that the ending was rushed.

But over all the story was seamlessly written. And you can feel their growth as well as chemistry.

Highly recommend .

[Alvina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pretty cover was 50% of the draw to this strange novel. Its well written but I’m pretty ambivalent about it overall since I just came off reading a A Rake's Guide to Seduction, which coincidentally shared a lot of the same tropes.

Its like comparing Hallmark movies to Lifetime movies— this novel had way more soap opera drama and silly misunderstandings. I’m not really a fan of those crutches. Overall unique plot elements but I’m not interested in the melodrama.

[SassyLeg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

An unlikely friendship forms between our h/H: they are total opposites and there is no insta-attraction (at least on his part).
Anyway, our quiet-abused heroine become the only positive thought in the H's life, so a marriage of convenience seems to be a good solution between two people who need to get together for practical reasons.
But attraction and passion get in the way.... yes, this is a steamy read!
Not a masterpiece, but a good pastime.

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This was much better than I had expected.
A sweet, romantic story about a very likeable heroine and a good guy, who took a while to wake up and realise he was in love with our sweet girl (but doesn't it always take them too long??)
Nicely written and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

[Dea꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
I am maybe too old for or bored by the historical romance genre with this much misunderstanding and lack of communication between main characters.
Otherwise, a cute story without the description of many ballroom and dance scenes and overbundance of unnecessary secondary characters.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it two+ because I feel like I've seen the reformed rake and mousy orphan type before, and that whole "I can't let him/her know I love her!" bit is tiresome. I also rolled my eyes at the virgin who makes up for lost time by being not at all shy about sex, and insatiable to boot.

But then I read a review that whinged about explicit sex (of which there really wasn't that much), and I feel like I should give it more stars because hell yeah, the sex wasn't bad and probably the best part of the book. Take that, prudes! An extra star. I'm going to find something even more explicit, just because. 😏

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Extremely enjoyable until the last climax with the fire. I didn't really see the point of making OM into a horrible person, except for the reconciliation of the H and his friend. That could have happened earlier. Instead I was annoyed.

I loved that the h took charge in the bedroom and the H was the first to admit his love.

[OhWell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't expect historical accuracy, but it's original, entertaining and overall pretty good for a freebie.

[Laura]

It was... fine. I had a very difficult time warming up to the heroine. The plot could have had some delicious mutual pining and so many other tropes I like, but Milly jumped to every wrong conclusion and put off every wrong signal. It seemed that Beau was trying to be honest and fair and calling her "love" and being sweet and she kept pushing him away. It was understandable but frustrating.

There's also a lot going on here, drama from previous books (which I haven't read), Milly worrying about her fits (which I assume are seizure like? They aren't really described here), Beau's guilt over his brother, money troubles for the estate, Beau keeps rescuing orphan boys, Milly thinks Beau is unfaithful, he worries she is, an evil cousin, a murder attempt, etc etc there is so much more. I would have liked more of a focus on the estate's money troubles and Milly's business plans, with perhaps jealousy being the misunderstanding. As it is, it's a lot.

[LowBrowReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 points

From what I gathered the hero seems to be a villain of the previous book in the series and as that I would be automatically lured in :D

Not terribly bad reading, the author is OK-ish. If you want totally faithful Regency manners and customs and mode of speaking and thinking, look elsewhere.

Raising the score a bit on account that the author has the courage to write an epileptic heroine. Haven't seen that before so kudos!

[Hanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is this writing?

This is that rare bird, a book so badly written that I could hardly begin it. The author no ear for the nuances of language. "Leisurely" has the connotation of pleasure, yet the author's leisurely walker is distraught. "Acid green" may be an accurate name for a color, but not when describing a lovely spring color. Maybe the author should take up plumbing as a career instead.

[☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!!! Seriously nailed some of my favorite tropes! I LOVED watching Beau fall in love with Milly, it felt very natural and believable. Having not read the previous books in the series, I had a bit of a hard time buying him as a rake, for he is nothing but kindhearted and romantic in this book. I adored the angst and insecurity of course. (4.5 stars)

[Vania Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau, the Marquis of Beaumont, had inherited Brummel's place in the ton as the most elegant gentleman, but that lifestyle was costly, and unpaid debts were about to send him to debtor's prison. So, after his plan to marry an heiress didn't work out, the only way out for him was to flee to France.
He would leave behind many broken hearts, among them Miss Millicent Sparrow. But unlike the other ladies, women of London's high society who would do anything to marry a marquis, even a bankrupt one, Milly was only grateful for having helped her in a delicate episode. After all, who would pay attention to that girl who was always hidden under brown clothes?

In Paris, Beau receives news that his father has passed away and he is now the new Duke of Ware. That would give him a chance to pay off his creditors and go home.
Upon returning to England, he only had in mind the need to find the only friend he had left in the city and who wrote letters to him during his self-exile, Milly. Upon arriving there, he discovers the real condition in which the girl lived, living in the house of a cousin who mistreated her.
Beau decides to marry Milly and make her his duchess.

When checking the accounts of the previous duke, the couple discover that Beau's father was as spendthrift as his son, and in a maximum of five years they would be bankrupt.
Milly has the idea of using her dowry money, refused by Beau, to start a business that could give a good financial return, but worried that her husband might be against it, Milly decides to do everything behind Beau's back.
The marriage that should be one of convenience - Beau told her that nothing would change in his attitudes - begins to take a new direction, and now, Milly has a big secret hidden from her husband.

Milly was different from the women Beau had dated before. She was not a great beauty, but her lively mind and sharp tongue were a charm to her, and even her wearing those high-necked dresses became a fascination for him.
How could he convince her that he was really interested in her?
5 stars

[Martha B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau and Millie challenge the devil and win their HEA.

If you read Scandal's Daughter (book 3 in the series -- if not, you really should) then you must be wondering what happens next for Lord Beaumont, after his ill advised actions cost him his best friend and almost cost him his life. You would have also briefly encountered Miss Millicent Sparrow and wondered about Beau's kindness to her during her gossip-worthy distress in the midst of a ball. The Devil May Care (book 4 in the series) will answer all your burning questions in a most entertaining and heart-bending fashion.

Emma V. Leech has written a truly an emotional Regency love story of personal realization and redemption, sacrifice and salvation, friendship and forever love. As with her past books, Ms. Leech's writing style flows beautifully in both dialogue and descriptions. Even though the pace of the plot is steady, this is not a book to skim read. Each word and phrase is filled with meaning and emotion, so readers must just take their time and enjoy it rather than rush through it. You will also want to savor Beau and Millie's development and growth as individuals and as a couple.

All in all, I loved this book. Although there are no vulgarities, there some pretty descriptive marital intimacies and erotic circumstances, which only allow me to recommend this enjoyable stand-alone story for mature readers who are not easily offended.

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Not Redeeming Stars

The Devil May Care is the fourth book in the Rouges and Gentlemen series. This is Beau and Milly's story. I. DO. NOT. LIKE. BEAU. I didn't like him in the previous book and I'm SO SURPRISED, he got his own book. I truly don't think his character warrants a redeeming story. The only reason why I read his book is because I don't want to skip around in the series anymore.

Milly is the lady Beau saved (she was having a seizure during a ball) in the previous book. They form a friendship and long story short, Beau saves her again by marrying her.

I liked that Milly was sickly, not pretty and not rich. I wanted to see her blossom into a beautiful flower. Beau has his issues, he kidnapped a woman in the previous book. So I was trying to see how the author would make his character redeemable. By writing an apology letter and being nice to Milly.. SURRRREEEE.

The misunderstanding in the book is a little frustrating. Milly guards her heart because it's not a love match. Beau is concerned with Milly's past abuse and so he tries not to pursue her, even though he is attracted to her.

I just didn't get the book to be honest. I was not a fan of Beau and I didn't like the misunderstandings. I really liked Milly and the steam scenes were hot. That was the only benefit.

The book is easily skippable.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is very readable, with a well-developed plot and interesting characters. The main characters grow through their interactions with each other. Charles Stafford, the Marquess of Beaumont (known as Beau), is at low ebb, as the story opens. He needs money and must leave England to escape his creditors. He meets Millicent Sparrow, someone he met at a recent party. He tells her he is going and would like to write to her.

This idea is not allowed in Regency England if the couple is not engaged. However, Millie suggests he send his letters to the home of her companion's aunt rather than to her own. Over the next few months, as they communicate, Beau learns that his father has died and that he is the new Duke of Ware. He returns to England and immediately finds Millie.

However, Millie is in a terrible fix; she is leaving for the country the next day. She is traveling with her cousin, Mr. Brownlow, and his family. Beau sees wounds on Millie and accosts her cousin at Vauxhall Gardens. He makes the impetuous decision to marry Millie. Thus begins a fascinating story of how their marriage of convenience changes to something more.

Rogues and Gentlemen – Total of 21
1. The Rogue (2017)
2. The Earl's Temptation (2017)
3 Scandal's Daughter (2017)
** 4. The Devil May Care (2017)
5. Nearly Ruining Mr. Russell (2017)

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women were no more then property back when and any man could beat, bully or terrorize any woman under their protection. Millie Sparrow is living with an extremely abusive relative--with only her maid and friend for comfort. She is totally cowed and miserable-there is no way out for her or so she thinks.

Then the fateful day when, totally miserable, she happens upon Beau, the Marquis of Beaumont. Beau is getting ready to leave for France in disgrace. You may remember him from the novel Scandal's Daughter (see my review here) They strike up a friendship and agree to correspond via letters.

Beau's father dies and suddenly he is a Duke and is able to return to England. Taking pity on Millie, he offers her marriage in name only. She accepts and that is where the fun begins! You see Millie has an astonishingly brilliant mind.

I truly LOVED this book and am looking forward to reading more in this series!!

I received an ebook copy of this book for enjoyment and possible review.
The Devil May Care

[JANET SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet Another Excellent Read

Well Written and an enjoyable book. This is 'Beau' Beaumonts and Millicent Sparrows story. We had met Millie in book 3, a down trodden and abused young woman who was at the mercy of her bullying cousin, Millie suffered from 'fits' whenever upset or stressed and she had an episode at a ball and was helped by Beau. Millie had met Beau years previously unbeknown to him and had loved him ever since, so when she had a chance to speak to him she grabbed the opportunity, and when Beau escaped to France to escape his debts she sets up a correspondence with him. On his return he is so appalled to see how badly Millie is treated by her cousin that he marries her to protect her, it is supposed to be a marriage of convenience but doesn't work out that way, and the following story is, to my mind truly magical. Even in book 3 when Beau was being a baddie I had a soft spot for him, and in this book he and Millie, who although not overly beautiful, was a rare jewel, who was kind, clever and treated most people with respect bought out the best in Beau. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it.

[Kotori · Rating 3 out of 5]

disappointing

what a let down for our villainous anti-hero with the looks of an angel to be allocated this dreary female.
Book 3 introduced us to this character and was he ever debonair.
Don't you hate it when a fellow has misbehaved to the point the author wants to bring him low before giving him a hea?
Well, it's not that I kind that so much, it's that I'm really not a fan of helpless unfortunate heroines.

Why should they receive the prize that is our dashing rake?

Gah! It's galing.

I dealt couldn't bear to read this one.. any book that starts out describing our wimpy female main character as drab, and having a look of slavish devotion?

Running out the door.


I kept this book sitting on my shelf for a month before trying, I had a hint at the end of book 3 who his fate might be, but oh no.

At least Mary, from Georgette Heyers 'Devils Cub' started off determined to interrupt an elopment and got a shot in! Bravo! A capable and sensible heroine is much more to my taste!

Well, I didnt finish, and barely started.

[S.K. Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked for Life on Leech! Each novel in the Rogues & Gentlemen series is better than the last. This one, I thought, could not be topped. Our handsome and debonair Marquess of Beaumont (Beau) is left in disgrace in our last book and must flee England. However, before he leaves, he meets the unassuming, spectacle-wearing, plain Miss Sparrow on a park bench. Beau, in desperation really, latches on to his last remaining friend before being banished. Her letters to the continent are a lifeline to the life he loves and misses. The sudden death of Beau's father brings him home, where he can return to the leisure and insouciant lifestyle he loves, but now as a duke with unlimited funds. However, he seeks out the lifeline that kept him sane and can't ignore and overlook the intolerable situation he discovers she is in. He wants to save her and does; what else would a rake and rogue agree to but a marriage of convenience anyway... except, when he finds himself lost, can he hope she will return the favour? With some old friends and new ones, this is another delightful trip with Leech.

[Ela (Mouse333) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was going to be a 3 star book but the misunderstanding/lack of communication got too annoying at a certain point. There was also a moment before that became a big issue where I thought that this could have been a 4 star if the boys and Beau’s servants were shown more.

I liked Milly and Beau, and I liked the beginning of their relationship and how they met, but the way it developed was annoying – Beau doesn’t tell Milly that he no longer wants to see other women (he tried once at the beginning of their marriage but he was interrupted and left feeling relieved) and is confused that Milly isn’t behaving like his wife; Milly is scared that Beau is going to break her heart and she also keeps her business venture a secret which causes problems as Beau thinks that she’s cheating.

I might try some other books in this series, but I doubt I’ll go back to the previous books that I skipped.

Setting: Britain (London, Greythorpe Hall in Hertfordshire)
MCs: Millicent Sparrow, Charles Stafford (Beau)
POV: both, 3rd person

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots to like, and a few little issues

On the positive side, the characters, even the secondary ones, are well-developed and interesting. The plot is complicated enough to keep the readers interest, but not so complex that it requires overmuch energy to follow. I genuinely enjoyed the story, and did not feel like I'd jumped into the middle of it despite not having read all the prior books in the series.

There are a few redundancies very early in the book, and way too many references to the butter yellow walls. I did get a little tired of two people afraid for half the book to actually talk to one another. And I did think it seemed very unlikely that Milly would go from frightened innocent to sex-starved temptress in 48 hours - graphic prints or no graphic prints.

Fnally, I don't know much about epilepsy, but I will say I was a bit skeptical that people die from it the way Edward did.