What do you think?
Rate this book
Delphine and the Dangerous Arrangement
"My lord Gascoigne, I wish to lay my bargain before you with all openness... Your duties, under the terms of this bargain, are to guide me through the dangerous waters of the Beau Monde. I trust my instincts, but it would be useless to suggest that I am experienced in the ways of the world. I can see at once that you are. I could see the trap of your rank, looks and charm at a glance, but I am quite safe - for I could never marry a man such as you." Delphine Delacroix has lived the life of bird in a gilded cage, kept in a stately home with only her cold, autocratic mother for company. At her mother’s death, she finds herself to be a wealthy woman and comes to London, to be fretted over by her three maternal aunts – all determined to have her marry well. But Delphine feels she is once more having to hand herself over to another’s will and seeks to be the mistress of her own destiny. But she recognises that she has none of the skills needed to steer herself through the shoals of fortune hunters that wish to marry her. Aware of her own naivety and not trusting her aunts, she recruits a rake to help her. Viscount Titus Gascoigne is her choice, and he agrees - but will their dangerous arrangement prosper? Or will it be discovered and prove scandalous? Alicia Cameron ‘tells tales with the wit and charm of a bygone age.’ ‘Real people that you will fall in love with, laugh and cry with, and hate to leave when the book is finished.’ ‘The very definition of feel-good!’
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
106 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Cameron
40 books118 followersAlicia Cameron is a crime writer with another indulgence - I have always enjoyed the work of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, loving the Regency period and the romance, but especially the wit of the authors.
My interest in crime probably started with the awful kleptomania of my family, stealing these books from each others shelves.
I'm not to be confused with the other Alicia Cameron. My Regency romances have very little raunch and a great deal of silliness.
My interest in crime probably started with the awful kleptomania of my family, stealing these books from each others shelves.
I'm not to be confused with the other Alicia Cameron. My Regency romances have very little raunch and a great deal of silliness.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 29, 2019
Casi 4 estrellas.
Comedia liviana. Con algunos enredos y crecimiento personal de los protagonistas. Muy acelerada (no es crítica, estoy cansada de descripciones densas).
Comedia liviana. Con algunos enredos y crecimiento personal de los protagonistas. Muy acelerada (no es crítica, estoy cansada de descripciones densas).
February 27, 2018
This is the first little romance by Alicia Cameron that I haven't been totally delighted with. It started out in an interesting fashion. 22-year-old heroine Delphine Delacroix has just lost her mother and, after living all her life in a small village and kept isolated from everyone, even from villagers, by her cold and peculiar mother, now finds herself whisked away to London by several aunts she had never really known. Her outdated clothing and hair is brought up to date so that she can be introduced to society.
It must be mentioned here that Delphine is a filthy rich heiress, but she has lived such a solitary life prior to this that she has little idea of how to behave in polite society. She's blunt, almost unfriendly, cold, aloof, and hasn't any tact or diplomacy. Her unfeeling mother had done quite a number on her. Such that she is referred to by many as the Snow Queen.
But Delphine instinctively knows she will be the target of fortune hunters because of her beauty and her money, so she secretly hires impecunious but handsome and charming Viscount Gascoigne to flirt with her while helping her to navigate society, learn how to become a more agreeable person, and weed out suitable from unsuitable suitors. So, yeah, I guess by now you may have figured out where this is headed and you're right, but it's a little romance. It's supposed to be predictable.
As usual, Cameron has filled her story with many and varied colorful characters; some extremely helpful, kind and supportive, some frivolous and amusing, and some quite villainous. But, for some reason (perhaps I read it on the wrong day or in the wrong mood?), this HR did not delight and entertain me the way her previous stories have done. I loved CLARISSA AND THE POOR RELATIONS, HONORIA AND THE FAMILY OBLIGATION, and ANGELIQUE AND THE PURSUIT OF DESTINY. They had sparkling dialogue, great characters, and afforded me lots of chuckles. This one, not so much. As a matter of fact, it was often tedious to read.
It didn't help that shoddy proofreading had left many mistakes: missing commas, missing words, or words appearing where they should not. I almost got the feeling that this was rushed to publication. I think it needed a little bit more polishing to get it up to the quality of the previous books. In addition, the last part of the story features an abduction. (Insert shudder here. I hate abductions in romances.) I had thought Cameron was more creative and cleverer than to have to rely on that hackneyed romance trope.
Nope, this one didn't work well for me. I'm still giving it a moderate 3 stars for the premise of unloved, cold, aloof Delphine, the Snow Queen, getting thawed out by Gascoigne and also by her new life in general. There are entertaining moments here. Just not as many as I was expecting. So here I shall sit, waiting for the next book by Cameron. She's still a go-to author for me and I'm hopeful for the next one.
It must be mentioned here that Delphine is a filthy rich heiress, but she has lived such a solitary life prior to this that she has little idea of how to behave in polite society. She's blunt, almost unfriendly, cold, aloof, and hasn't any tact or diplomacy. Her unfeeling mother had done quite a number on her. Such that she is referred to by many as the Snow Queen.
But Delphine instinctively knows she will be the target of fortune hunters because of her beauty and her money, so she secretly hires impecunious but handsome and charming Viscount Gascoigne to flirt with her while helping her to navigate society, learn how to become a more agreeable person, and weed out suitable from unsuitable suitors. So, yeah, I guess by now you may have figured out where this is headed and you're right, but it's a little romance. It's supposed to be predictable.
As usual, Cameron has filled her story with many and varied colorful characters; some extremely helpful, kind and supportive, some frivolous and amusing, and some quite villainous. But, for some reason (perhaps I read it on the wrong day or in the wrong mood?), this HR did not delight and entertain me the way her previous stories have done. I loved CLARISSA AND THE POOR RELATIONS, HONORIA AND THE FAMILY OBLIGATION, and ANGELIQUE AND THE PURSUIT OF DESTINY. They had sparkling dialogue, great characters, and afforded me lots of chuckles. This one, not so much. As a matter of fact, it was often tedious to read.
It didn't help that shoddy proofreading had left many mistakes: missing commas, missing words, or words appearing where they should not. I almost got the feeling that this was rushed to publication. I think it needed a little bit more polishing to get it up to the quality of the previous books. In addition, the last part of the story features an abduction. (Insert shudder here. I hate abductions in romances.) I had thought Cameron was more creative and cleverer than to have to rely on that hackneyed romance trope.
Nope, this one didn't work well for me. I'm still giving it a moderate 3 stars for the premise of unloved, cold, aloof Delphine, the Snow Queen, getting thawed out by Gascoigne and also by her new life in general. There are entertaining moments here. Just not as many as I was expecting. So here I shall sit, waiting for the next book by Cameron. She's still a go-to author for me and I'm hopeful for the next one.
January 4, 2022
2.5 stars.
I enjoyed the clean content and my heart went out to the poor heroine. However, I found the hero to be very underdeveloped and was therefore unmoved by the purported romance. I think that had the hero been given more scenes and pages in which to make different life choices, I might be brought to feel different about this story overall. As it however, one star for a very dear heroine, one star for all her lovely aunts and uncles, and half a star for that funny letter the heroine wrote the hero with hr proposition.
I enjoyed the clean content and my heart went out to the poor heroine. However, I found the hero to be very underdeveloped and was therefore unmoved by the purported romance. I think that had the hero been given more scenes and pages in which to make different life choices, I might be brought to feel different about this story overall. As it however, one star for a very dear heroine, one star for all her lovely aunts and uncles, and half a star for that funny letter the heroine wrote the hero with hr proposition.
June 26, 2019
Great 'fun' read with engaging characters and a refreshingly different plot. One to read again!
May 14, 2019
Another Delightful Tale of Romance in Regency England
This is truly another Delightful Tale by this accomplished author. The heroine is to be pitied and is thankfully being rescued from a dreadfully upbringing which sqaushed and deformed the young lady's character and manner in such a heartless fashion.
I loved her aunt's and uncles and the masterly telling of how Delphine broke out of the bindings, wrought so cruelly by her mother. The characters are well drawn - the good, the bad and the ugly customers - and those in between.
The period detail is excellent and informative. One of the things I like best about ebooks read on internet connected platforms, or devices, is the ability to search for more information, backgrounds and, as necessary, translations of the frequent French terms in use by the beau monde, or the cant/slang of several characters. I've read this type of novel since late childhood and become e very familiar with the terms and phrases in use at the time and although some have been relatively easy to construe, many have not. Until now. We didn't learn French, or any other foreign language, at my school, as the teacher of French left the year before I started there and was not replaced during my time there. I've picked up bits and pieces, here and there and learnt some more while holidaying in Corsica and Brittany, which helped somewhat but now I've learnt much more and of English terminology of the time too.
This story was intriguing and the description of what the heroine experienced as a result of her upbringing and change in circumstances, is very well done indeed.
I thoroughly recommend this author's works and if you would like to know which others I recommend, please read my other reviews.
This is truly another Delightful Tale by this accomplished author. The heroine is to be pitied and is thankfully being rescued from a dreadfully upbringing which sqaushed and deformed the young lady's character and manner in such a heartless fashion.
I loved her aunt's and uncles and the masterly telling of how Delphine broke out of the bindings, wrought so cruelly by her mother. The characters are well drawn - the good, the bad and the ugly customers - and those in between.
The period detail is excellent and informative. One of the things I like best about ebooks read on internet connected platforms, or devices, is the ability to search for more information, backgrounds and, as necessary, translations of the frequent French terms in use by the beau monde, or the cant/slang of several characters. I've read this type of novel since late childhood and become e very familiar with the terms and phrases in use at the time and although some have been relatively easy to construe, many have not. Until now. We didn't learn French, or any other foreign language, at my school, as the teacher of French left the year before I started there and was not replaced during my time there. I've picked up bits and pieces, here and there and learnt some more while holidaying in Corsica and Brittany, which helped somewhat but now I've learnt much more and of English terminology of the time too.
This story was intriguing and the description of what the heroine experienced as a result of her upbringing and change in circumstances, is very well done indeed.
I thoroughly recommend this author's works and if you would like to know which others I recommend, please read my other reviews.
June 29, 2019
4.5 stars - a Regency snow queen fairytale
Delphine has been trapped in emotional ice for most of her life until her verbally & emotionally abusive mother dies.
Gascoigne, himself trapped by debt, could really use the help of an heiress' fortune. But Delphine, though inexperienced, is not naive & decides to initiate a *mutually* beneficial relationship instead.
What follows is funny, sweet, & occasionally dangerous. Gascoigne is helping the Snow Queen thaw, but there's honesty and then there's honesty - and a few ice shards remaining in case she needs to protect herself.
This relatively short novella moves at a brisk pace, and is so entertaining along the way, that I reached the happily-ever-after almost before I knew it.
While there were a few points where the plot was a bit weak & the "working" relationship stopped too soon to fully, effectively support their friends to lovers romance, it was still so well done that I barely noticed as I was reading & only noted it more upon reflection after I had finished the book.
Clean romance level: sweet kisses
Religion: a few uses of the Lord's Name in vain, sadly including an unnecessary use of cursing in God's Name (dear authors, you don't *have* to respect your readers' beliefs, but the consideration would be all the more appreciated for that)
Language: a handful of d*mn's + a h*ll or two
Delphine has been trapped in emotional ice for most of her life until her verbally & emotionally abusive mother dies.
Gascoigne, himself trapped by debt, could really use the help of an heiress' fortune. But Delphine, though inexperienced, is not naive & decides to initiate a *mutually* beneficial relationship instead.
What follows is funny, sweet, & occasionally dangerous. Gascoigne is helping the Snow Queen thaw, but there's honesty and then there's honesty - and a few ice shards remaining in case she needs to protect herself.
This relatively short novella moves at a brisk pace, and is so entertaining along the way, that I reached the happily-ever-after almost before I knew it.
While there were a few points where the plot was a bit weak & the "working" relationship stopped too soon to fully, effectively support their friends to lovers romance, it was still so well done that I barely noticed as I was reading & only noted it more upon reflection after I had finished the book.
Clean romance level: sweet kisses
Religion: a few uses of the Lord's Name in vain, sadly including an unnecessary use of cursing in God's Name (dear authors, you don't *have* to respect your readers' beliefs, but the consideration would be all the more appreciated for that)
Language: a handful of d*mn's + a h*ll or two
January 2, 2021
Witty and Charming
A very short Regency romance, but Cameron fits everything she needs to. She is wise, well researched and very very funny while telling us this love story of the Viscount Gascoigne and Delphine Delacroix , a beautiful heiress, but cold and unfeeling since she was raised by her cold and unfeeling mother in the North but who has now died and left her scandalously rich. The Viscount is saddled with debts left by his rake of a father; he must marry for money but it irks him to do so. Delphine hires him to teach her how to act during the London season. This was such an enjoyable little book, I did not want it to end. About 145 pages. Read it and see if you can find the wit and intelligence. Wonderful.
A very short Regency romance, but Cameron fits everything she needs to. She is wise, well researched and very very funny while telling us this love story of the Viscount Gascoigne and Delphine Delacroix , a beautiful heiress, but cold and unfeeling since she was raised by her cold and unfeeling mother in the North but who has now died and left her scandalously rich. The Viscount is saddled with debts left by his rake of a father; he must marry for money but it irks him to do so. Delphine hires him to teach her how to act during the London season. This was such an enjoyable little book, I did not want it to end. About 145 pages. Read it and see if you can find the wit and intelligence. Wonderful.
May 12, 2020
Dopo aver letto 'Honoria and the Family Obligation' avevo cancellato l'autrice dalla mia lista di possibili letture: troppo insulso l'equivoco che governava la storia, troppo convenzionali e antistorici i presupposti che orientavano il comportamento dei vari protagonisti.
Questo romanzo, se continua a non essere storicamente affidabile, almeno è brillante e divertente... fin quasi alla fine, quando gli eventi si ingarbugliano, prima di concludersi piuttosto fiaccamente. Ma si sa, i finali costituiscono la vera 'prova della verità' di ogni scrittore.
Questo romanzo, se continua a non essere storicamente affidabile, almeno è brillante e divertente... fin quasi alla fine, quando gli eventi si ingarbugliano, prima di concludersi piuttosto fiaccamente. Ma si sa, i finali costituiscono la vera 'prova della verità' di ogni scrittore.
June 18, 2020
4.5 stars. Funny, witty and sweet
I loved it. The heroine is an ice queen, doesn’t understand double meanings and is very honest in everything she says, that means she is not as polite as expected. She is a heiress being raised outside society and in need of help to navigate among the tone.
He is a known rake, founder of a society of heiress-hunters.
A sweet novel that will make you laugh a lot.
I loved it. The heroine is an ice queen, doesn’t understand double meanings and is very honest in everything she says, that means she is not as polite as expected. She is a heiress being raised outside society and in need of help to navigate among the tone.
He is a known rake, founder of a society of heiress-hunters.
A sweet novel that will make you laugh a lot.
January 27, 2021
The writing is much more polished in this book compared with Alicia and the Poor Relations. Once again, I was impressed with Alicia Cameron's ability to create lively characters and a fabulous plot. Delphine is intelligent and endearing. Titus is not what he seems. Together they must find a way to achieve a happy ending. Add in the supporting cast, and you have a delightful read. Note: There is some swearing - I prefer descriptors not related to diety.
September 4, 2023
was a bit difficult to get into but so good
I really enjoyed the way Delphine grew throughout the story and a better hero would be hard to find. Excellent. My only problem was very near the end when a mystery about someone living on his estate was revealed and the garbled explanation. There was absolutely no reason to add that part and it wasn’t even explained why it was a secret? Very strange.
I really enjoyed the way Delphine grew throughout the story and a better hero would be hard to find. Excellent. My only problem was very near the end when a mystery about someone living on his estate was revealed and the garbled explanation. There was absolutely no reason to add that part and it wasn’t even explained why it was a secret? Very strange.
June 12, 2020
An orphaned heiress, a young nobleman with pockets to let, and one villain. Common threads uniquely woven to yield a delightful story. Upon her mother's death Delphine discovers she has a bunch of aunts, ladies determined to help their niece negotiate a Season and find a husband. The characters have their idiosyncrasies that make for a very entertaining read. (Though not the author's best.)
July 22, 2020
Great story
Very different story but a wonderful love story all the same. Two people who desperately need each other but manage to make a mess of it due to their own insecurities. One needs to be loved and the other needs money. Lovely story & the various & sundry relatives & friends are a treat.
Very different story but a wonderful love story all the same. Two people who desperately need each other but manage to make a mess of it due to their own insecurities. One needs to be loved and the other needs money. Lovely story & the various & sundry relatives & friends are a treat.
October 18, 2020
Ebook
She’s a young woman dominated and mentally abused by her mother. Her Aunts rescue her and bring her to
London for a season but she doesn’t know how to act, be kind receive compliments or find a husband. One man intrigues her but he’s not a good candidate for marriage. They form and arrangement that benefits them both but leads to attraction.
She’s a young woman dominated and mentally abused by her mother. Her Aunts rescue her and bring her to
London for a season but she doesn’t know how to act, be kind receive compliments or find a husband. One man intrigues her but he’s not a good candidate for marriage. They form and arrangement that benefits them both but leads to attraction.
June 10, 2022
So good!
I loved this book! I loved Delphine and Titus’ characters. Alicia Cameron should be proud of herself, she wrote a very fun novel with a well-paced plot and engaging characters. I highly recommend for anyone who loves Heyer or modern writers like DG Rampton, Ashtyn Newbold, or Mimi Matthews.
I loved this book! I loved Delphine and Titus’ characters. Alicia Cameron should be proud of herself, she wrote a very fun novel with a well-paced plot and engaging characters. I highly recommend for anyone who loves Heyer or modern writers like DG Rampton, Ashtyn Newbold, or Mimi Matthews.
August 5, 2022
What a great book.
I just read Alicia Cameron’s Delphine for the second time, and enjoyed it even more, being familiar with the characters from the first read and from the Fortune Sisters series. Ms. Cameron creates strong and unusual heroines, and interesting plots. I really enjoy her novels.
I just read Alicia Cameron’s Delphine for the second time, and enjoyed it even more, being familiar with the characters from the first read and from the Fortune Sisters series. Ms. Cameron creates strong and unusual heroines, and interesting plots. I really enjoy her novels.
June 3, 2024
Upon the death of her mother, Delphine goes to London with her aunts and uncles for her first season. She is two and twenty and a very wealthy heiress.. She was raised by her widowed mother who showed her no affection. Delphine knows none of the rules of society. She hires a handsome discount with a scandalous reputation to help her navigate society without scandal.
February 15, 2018
Loved it!! Need another one.
Five stars yet again! Another great read from Ms Cameron. She has once again produced such engaging characters that it was hard to put in down! The tale is full of humour and warmth that I have come to expect from her. Can't wait for the next one.
Five stars yet again! Another great read from Ms Cameron. She has once again produced such engaging characters that it was hard to put in down! The tale is full of humour and warmth that I have come to expect from her. Can't wait for the next one.
January 31, 2021
A Good Read
I have been delighted to discover this author in an anthology and have since been binge reading her books. Interesting, human characters, a twisty plot, and a beautiful Snow Queen whose ice protects a lost and frozen child. Highly recommended.
I have been delighted to discover this author in an anthology and have since been binge reading her books. Interesting, human characters, a twisty plot, and a beautiful Snow Queen whose ice protects a lost and frozen child. Highly recommended.
June 5, 2021
Oh gosh; what a WONDerful way to spend 6 hours!!!
And what’s this? Yesssss, Cameron writing and Beckley narrating are a 5-star duo!
My Full Review →
And what’s this? Yesssss, Cameron writing and Beckley narrating are a 5-star duo!
My Full Review →
February 21, 2024
oh my gosh
You better hurry up and read this It was sooooo good I couldn’t stop Fabulous. It’s so refreshing to read a great book.. full characters with a interesting story line Thank you again Ms Cameron
You better hurry up and read this It was sooooo good I couldn’t stop Fabulous. It’s so refreshing to read a great book.. full characters with a interesting story line Thank you again Ms Cameron
August 28, 2025
A Strong Woman and her Viscount
Delphine kept me wondering what in the world she would do next. The story was sad, fun, witty, scary, romantic, fun, and romantic.
I think anyone looking for a book to really enjoy will love it.
Delphine kept me wondering what in the world she would do next. The story was sad, fun, witty, scary, romantic, fun, and romantic.
I think anyone looking for a book to really enjoy will love it.
June 9, 2019
Enjoyed it very much
Once again I have enjoyed Alicia Cameron’s writing. I appreciate the clean story. I like the characters and always enjoy a happy ending.
Once again I have enjoyed Alicia Cameron’s writing. I appreciate the clean story. I like the characters and always enjoy a happy ending.
June 10, 2019
You will love this novel
It's 3:30 am. I could not sleep. I needed to finish this clean, but romantic book. It is almost a fairy book. Or maybe a Cinderella book. You decide
It's 3:30 am. I could not sleep. I needed to finish this clean, but romantic book. It is almost a fairy book. Or maybe a Cinderella book. You decide
January 18, 2021
Good story in need of heavy handed editing. The transitions and voice changes are dizzying.
August 18, 2021
Interesting heroine. Not as funny as I have come to expect from Alicia Cameron.
November 10, 2022
great story
Well written and developed.
Ms Cameron is a fantastic author. Her writing flows well and keeps you up late reading till it’s finished.
Worth reading. Enjoy
Well written and developed.
Ms Cameron is a fantastic author. Her writing flows well and keeps you up late reading till it’s finished.
Worth reading. Enjoy
December 25, 2023
Good
I liked both main characters. Dolphins had a good heart and so did our hero. Little action and intrigue. Quiet read
I liked both main characters. Dolphins had a good heart and so did our hero. Little action and intrigue. Quiet read
April 3, 2024
charming tale!
I greatly enjoyed the main character and her transformation in character through the influence of her friends and family. Amusing and satisfying!
I greatly enjoyed the main character and her transformation in character through the influence of her friends and family. Amusing and satisfying!
August 24, 2024
Great characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews