The Devil and the Viscount

Gentlemen of Pleasure #1

by Mary Lancaster

Rollo Darblay has been going to the devil for most of his adult life, thanks to frustrated ambitions and natural hedonism. When his father dies, leaving him finally in charge of ruined finances and failing estates, there is only one solution left: to marry money. Except the available choices crush his free spirit.

Gina Wallace, the dutiful daughter of a wealthy Manchester mill owner, is reluctantly betrothed to an ageing earl. But when she encounters the wickedly handsome Rollo at Renwick’s Hotel, she is tempted to seek a little happiness before sacrificing herself to family obligation.

Neither bargains for falling in love, or the ensuing tangle of duty, duels, and promises that cannot be broken. Will they abandon their families for true love? Or find a way that satisfies both?

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Regency, Historical, Novella, British Literature

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2022

About the author

Mary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.

Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.

Connect with Mary on-line:
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Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, nothing really special but a nice easy read.

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is entertaining for this short story, but I felt the story has been done many times before. I found a lot of suspension of disbelief was needed for the instant rapport between the characters.

[Nabilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's kinda meh. The story and characters were shallow. Lovely writing, though. I thought this one would be steamier. There were only two love scenes, and they were brief and perfunctory; not exciting stuff. If you don't have anything better, this book is good enough for you to while away in the afternoon. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking, though.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ROGUE NEEDS A WIFE
Darbly doesn't have the best reputation. Since his father's death he's struggling to keep his estate afloat. He needs to marry an heiress. Gina's father wants her to marry a title. The man he is contracting is an older earl who needs money and is willing to marry the daughter of a man in trade. Darbly and Gina meet and everything changes, for they want each other. To force the earl to break the contract will take help from unlikely sources. Lancaster doesn't disappoint when it comes to writing passionate encounters and resolving what seems a hopeless happy ending.
Heat level 4. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Lisa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viscount Rollo Darblay has to marry for money, so he can go forward with his plans for his estate and pay his father's debts. Gina Wallace comes from money and her father wants her to marry nobility. Sounds like a match made in heaven - except they are not engaged to each other. A chance meeting at an Inn and... Loved how these two were together, Rollo's honesty and humour, and Gina's strength and intelligence. Marvellous read.

[Sonia N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Romance

I enjoyed this book, the heroine is a beautiful strong willed lady. And the hero, Lord Rollo Darbly a Viscount needs to marry for money. But when Gina and he meet they fall in love. Each of them will stop at nothing to be together! I loved how they find their happily ever after!

[Tina Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. It’s a familiar trope…the virgin who wants a night of pleasure with a handsome, charming rake before she must wed an older noble. But the story is fun and the solution is ingenious! The h and H are likable people, there isn’t a whole lot of ridiculous angst and there’s some steamy scenes. Fun!

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"They were both desperate and under pressure to sacrifice themselves for family"

A rich, emotional love story that won my heart from the first page! Two people who meet randomly, needing to marry for different reasons, but each being perfect for each other.. If only she was not already promised to another...

I adore the writing of this author and this is just another, in a long line of stories, that captured my heart. The attraction was sparkling and the pull between them was almost beyond reason. But could it work out?

Sigh, double sigh.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Mary always writes such excellent books, interesting, entertaining, and enjoyable, this is slightly steamier for her but I didn’t find it too much.

Love Rollo from the start, a dissolute new Lord , inheriting a failing Estate and title, needing to marry money, we’ve heard that before.

This time we have a Debutant who throws herself into his arms, and his bed, for a wonderful experience before her boring marriage.
This was very well written as you can expect from Mary, and kept me entertained start to finish.
Great read

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollo and Gina come across as very comfortable with each other.

Read full review in the 2022 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollo Darblay has been a rake & as his father put it it a wastrel for most of his adult life, thanks to frustrated ambitions and natural hedonism. When his father dies, leaving him finally in charge of ruined finances and failing estates, there is only one solution left: to marry money. Gina Wallace, the dutiful daughter of a wealthy Manchester mill owner, is reluctantly promised to the ageing Earl of Longton. But when she encounters the wickedly handsome Rollo at Renwick’s Hotel, she is tempted to seek a little happiness before sacrificing herself to family obligation.
The start of a new series but also a spin off from the previous series Pleasure Garden. We met Rollo throughout that series & I'm so pleased he's had his story. Rollo needs to marry money as he's too much pride to borrow from his brother in law. Gina’s father wants her to marry into the nobility so that his grandchildren can be titled. The pair meet & fall for each other but how on earth can they resolve their dilemma when they are each expected to marry other people. The solution makes for an engrossing, captivating read, which I devoured in a sitting. A delicious mix of romance, humour & having some very supportive friends - I loved it

[Kat Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved the name “Rollo” so this was obviously a book I wanted to read. This is actually book # 1 of Mary Lancaster’s “Men of Pleasure “ series. Though I’ve read them out of order, they are all delightful. In this one Rollo is the dashing, tall, dark and handsome, Viscount with a devil may care attitude who needed to marry for money. His father left him in debt up to his eyeballs. On the evening he was dumped by his mistress and almost through the entire bottle of liquor when he accidentally meets a beautiful young woman who rocks his world.. Good read! 😍

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author's books but they are usually low to no steam. This has steamy scenes, a good plot and well developed characters. The heroine is the real hero, she's not gentry and has the courage to step up and get the HEA they both want. Loved it and will buy the series.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok novella. The characters and storyline aren't anything special. The plot is pretty much predictable...The whole conflict seemed a bit silly to me, but I guess if you're in the mood for something light-hearted, quick and easy, give it a go.

[Karen Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was good.

[Leandra Azer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable quick read. The title/blurb/and cover are all deceiving! This is a sweet romance between two young people with no artiface, misunderstandings, deceptions, or drama. Yes there's a few clogs along the way but it's all very sweet and innocent.

At the first meeting,
Hero: I'm broke and have to marry money to save my family.
Heroine: I'm rich and have to marry nobility for my family

Then they become friends!

What follows is a sweet love story with two honest characters. Some frustration for the h, but you forgive her by the end for her hilarious scheme.

Overall very enjoyable read, with some standout characters well fleshed out. And some standout moments:

~
"Miss Gush and Mrs. Take-me-as-you-find me,” he said absently.
She smiled. “Their real names!”
His black brows lifted. “Actually, I don’t remember.”
A choke of shocked laughter escaped her.
~
“You make my heart sing. And when we meet again…I will not be a polite lover. But I will make your whole being dance with pleasure—or die trying.”
~
"You don’t need to do it, you know. I can loan you enough to pay your debts and make a start on the land.”
Once, Rollo would have grabbed it with both hands and laughed. Now, he smiled a little ruefully at the cards. “My family has taken more than enough from you.”
“But I have Grace,” Wenning replied. “The rest is nothing." OKAY PREVIOUS HERO 🥺🥺🥺
~
"And I confess I was furious not to be included in your plans, not even to know of them. I was hurt, like some sulky schoolboy.”
She smiled tenderly, tracing his lips with her fingers. “I love this sulky schoolboy.”

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love or money

Gina is a pickle she has to marry an old stuffy fart aka Earl for a title to merge her fathers money with a title! She meets Rollo aka Viscount Darblay who is a similar situation but was on an assignation with a dubious lady!
These two strike up a unlikely friendship finding they have a lot in common! Gina feels she had a duty to support her father's aspirations to marry her into nobility! Rollo has two prospects and problems arise with both! One way more than the other! These two can't seem to stay away from each other! Gina devises a plan to give her self righteous prig of a suitor a disgust of her but can it work!?
Rollo also is in a pickle from a stubborn and stupid bankers son! It seems hopeless for these two but in true Lancaster fashion she creates a miracle equal to a HEA!

[Jeanie Gaslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

After two DNF’s I was delighted to complete and enjoy this tale of a proper miss who was raised by a father in trade and her encounter with the viscount who was a rake hell. He had just inherited his title and was in mourning for his father who had squandered his families wealth and done nothing it improve his estates or the tenants that worked the land. Despite Rollo asking for permission to make improvements to the agriculture his father denied him.
Gina had all but been auctioned to a titled man as old as her father because he wanted his grandchildren to be titled.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the cover and blurb, I expected something different, something less emotional and more focused on the sexytimes. (I mean, "Gentlemen of Pleasure" gives me certain expectations...) What I read was certainly quite steamy, but also balanced with plenty of emotion. In fact, the characters' feelings became the focus.

I especially enjoyed the way Gina took matters into her own hand and found a way to turn the tables in her favor.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, was caught up from first chapter. We have a Rough with scandals and regrets he can't change. Rollo has been left a Viscount with a penniless estate left in ruins by his late father. To save his mother and siblings he needs to marry for money and fast. Unfortunately, the choices are slim, either a wealthy widowed liked by the ton or a spoiled, clingy, stupid young Lady.
Gina is the oldest daughter of a wealthy merchant who was her to marry for a title so the family can join the ton. He has set her up with a much older Earl who is willing to buy a woman to give him sons. She is being sold to a man who doesn't know her, doesn't want to and has only meet once !!
What's a dutiful daughter to do.
Then when chance or fate steps in and these two meets in a place neither were supposed to be.
This chance encounter changes both their lives forever !!
Will they do what duty calls for are will both fight for what is right for both of them ?
What lengths will they take ? Can love really save them. There are some sexy scenes which follow the story perfect. I love "Pup" he is wonderful. Most of the characters and there is quite a lineup are great, of course some or really nasty and bad too.
I have read a lot of Mary's books and they never let you down, they are all great.
Am on to read the next in this series, hope you get you copy and get started. You will not be sorry.

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gina & Rollo. I was so excited about this story. The set up of Rollo in Unmasking the Hero was that he was a very bad man "going to the devil". Well....I didn't get any of that Rollo. He came off as a just a not so gentlemanly Viscount. The typical rake behavior was non existent. There was no innuendo or dirty talk. Way too tame for a man going to the devil. Now for the story...she is a wealthy heiress (dad is owner of some mills) and she is promised to an Earl significantly older than she. He is the typical haughty Earl that expects perfection in a wife while not really being a prize himself. Rollo meets Gina at a hotel they were staying at on the way to meet the Earl (he wanted to test her out in society so she could prove herself). He's toasty and walks into the ladies sitting area. Starts chatting it up with Gina who feels stifled and bored. They dance at a masked ball in the pleasure garden and the next day she wants him to deflower her so she can feel "alive". He agrees and its just okay scene. The rest of the book drags on about how she can't marry Rollo because her father gave his word to the Earl but she wants to marry Rollo. Blah blah blah. Meh! Ending - she acts not so lady like and does everything he hates in a wife so he calls off their agreement freeing her up to marry Rollo. There were a couple of side things that made the story drag on. For being a short book, this wasn't easy to get through.

[Karen_Lee_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil and the Viscount
(Gentlemen of Pleasure #1)
By Mary Lancaster

This author was a first time read for me and I enjoyed every moment of it. Not knowing this authors style I found it easy to jump into and fairly quick to read.

Rollo Darbly and Gina Wallace shouldn’t have had such a good time when they snuck into the masquerade ball, but they did and there was a little spark and they shared some of their backgrounds. Rollo a Viscount whose father had been horrible at keeping the family estates sustainable, leaving it up to Rollo to marry money to keep his mother and sister safe. Gina had a similar story only her father had given her hand away to have his daughter marry into the aristocracy.

Both Rollo and Gina were giving up their own dreams to support and help their families.

It seemed chance brought them together again and again and soon the spark had become more, Rollo had feelings for Gina and she for him.

There would soon be a reckoning and decisions had to be made and events had to occur to make sure they would win this game!

I found it enjoyable, easy to read. I loved Rollo and Gina. I will certainly be reading another of the Gentlemen of Pleasure series.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent beginning to a new series and I enjoyed the angst free story with a couple who accidently meet and then neither can forget their time together. Gina is the daughter of wealthy merchant who has arranged a marriage between her and a much older earl but marrying a title will move the family up in society. She was not asked before her father made a verbal agreement with the earl but she will not have her father's word ruined and she will do her duty. Rollo has a wild reputation and his father recently died leaving Rollo the new title of viscount and a pile of debts that would soon take the estate to ruin. He has to find a bride with money so he can put his plans for the estate to work and pay off his father's debts. He has found a couple of possible brides, he doesn't have feelings for but he will do his duty. Their futures were planned and put into place but then they met and it changed everything - it was a fun, romantic romp to a HEA. I highly recommend this read and I am off to start Book 2 in the series.

[Slwd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollo and Gina

Viscount Rollo has inherited his title and an impoverished estate. He knows what to do to get things back on track, he just needs money. His stepmother is vetting rich heiresses that would befit a viscount. Gina is the daughter of a rich merchant . Her father wants her to marry a title, has endowed her with a hefty dowry, and has set up a match with an elder Earl who has daughters her age but is still wanting a son. She is not looking forward to the marriage and is pondering such when she first encounters Rollo. Something instant passes between the two. They go to the masked ball in the Pleasure Gardens, have meals together, go for walks, and listen to music. They talk and get to know one another. Rollo contemplates asking Gina to marry him. Gina wants Rollo to take her to bed so she can experience passion before entering into what she knows is going to be a lackluster marriage. She wants to use her time with Rollo to get her through the long days and nights. Slowly these two know they are falling in love, but duty must come first, right? I enjoyed this story about Gina and Rollo. They sizzle together, are seductive and sexy. There is also a supporting cast of characters that further brings the story to life. The story is not very long but it works with a happy ever after. An afternoon delight. Happy Reading!

[Lyrica Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil and the Viscount is a smashing success in a new series.

The Devil and the Viscount is a highly eloquent novel. It uses a broad vocabulary and has no mistakes in sight. Furthermore, the storyline is simply smashing. It is an excellent twist on the rouge falling in love with the good girl plotline. Viscount Rollo Darby is the bad boy and has a wide variety of vices that he indulges in, from misteresses to gambling and drinking. Ginna Wallace is a good girl with a slightly rebellious streak. She is intent on going along with her father’s wishes to marry an older, widowed Earl until she realizes there is something more important than being the good girl: love.

Rolls and Ginna’s regency romance story will have you on the edge of your seat through twists, turns, and bouts of lovemaking.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Money and Marriage

I love a novella romance that I can start and finish in bed before falling asleep at night. The story includes plenty of fun: pleasure gardens, masquerade, rendezvous, gambling, deception, rumors, gatherings at the park, and even a large, boisterous, overly-friendly dog. Lots of characters show up in this first in the series book, many of which will probably get their own stories in subsequent books. I especially liked the smart and socially savvy Gina, but did not particularly drool over the fun loving Rollo. Their relationship steams and includes intimate encounters outside of marriage. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to those who like a short read.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was boring with a couple of passive and boring protagonists.

The book is basically the main characters whining about not being able to be together and doing nothing to actively change their circumstances. I was actually rooting for the hero to end up with the eccentric widow because she was at least interesting.

The hero is one of those annoying poor archetypes that refuse any help from their wealthy friends because of, "muh pride." I have no respect for people that can't swallow their pride and ask for help. That's just being stubborn.

The heroine takes way too long to actually take any action, and by then it was too little too late. I was already bored by her.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

An altogether enjoyable 2-3 hours passed reading this nice story with nice people. I love it when everyone's honest with each other about their feelings and two people just have a genuinely lovely time together, repeatedly, until they realize they love each other. It's a fun read.

There was something keeping me from going all-in and adoring it. I think maybe it didn't involve me enough emotionally. But even still, I enjoyed my time reading it and I'm glad I did. On to the next in the series.

[Cindy Woltman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! Lighthearted romance!

The Devil and the Viscount is a wonderfully written, fun romp through romance. Gina, betrothed to an old earl, falls in love with Rollo, a newly minted viscount. He needed to marry for money she for a title. Gina is a delightful character cunning and independent. Rollo’s character is determined to save his estates. Mary Lancaster helps all save their dignity and have a HEA. It was good to see the appearance of characters from other stories.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rollo and Gina

First time to read this author. Book starts with a random meeting of two strangers in a hotel. She and her aunt have stopped her on their way to deliver Gina, an heiress with no title, to her about-to-be betrothed (father arranged). He is in despair over his new title with no money that will force him to marry a rich heiress. A friendship develops. Then something more.

Forbidden love that figures out a way.

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I will try this author again.