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Ramsden Brothers #2
The Earl's Forbidden Ward
Innocent debutante Tessa Branscombe senses that underneath her handsome guardian's cool demeanor there is an intensely passionate nature. The arrogant earl infuriates her--yet makes her want to explore those hidden depths....
Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley, has no time for girls--especially those who are suddenly given over to his care! Miss Tessa Branscombe, in particular, is trouble. She tempts this very proper earl to misbehave--and forbidden fruit always tastes that much sweeter.
Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley, has no time for girls--especially those who are suddenly given over to his care! Miss Tessa Branscombe, in particular, is trouble. She tempts this very proper earl to misbehave--and forbidden fruit always tastes that much sweeter.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
27 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Bronwyn Scott
354 books170 followersBronwyn Scott writes historical romances for Harlequin, Mills and Boon. She has 50 titles currently in print with them.
Bronwyn's 2018 release, Dancing with the Duke's Heir was RITA finalist.
Bronwyn's 2009 novel, The Viscount Claims His Bride was a RomCon finalist for best short historical, as was her 2011 release, A Thoroughly Compromised Lady.
Bronwyn's 2018 release, Dancing with the Duke's Heir was RITA finalist.
Bronwyn's 2009 novel, The Viscount Claims His Bride was a RomCon finalist for best short historical, as was her 2011 release, A Thoroughly Compromised Lady.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 12, 2017
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE!!!! Love this fun & endearing novel!!!! GREAT storyline & cast of characters!!!! The best type of novel pure escapism at its finest!!!!!!
dnf
March 23, 2025DNF at 34%
I thought this book was going to be fun and sexy, but it’s actually 95% about international espionage (not mentioned or even hinted at in the blurb)
3.23.25
I thought this book was going to be fun and sexy, but it’s actually 95% about international espionage (not mentioned or even hinted at in the blurb)
3.23.25
November 4, 2023
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"3.5 stars"The Earl’s Forbidden Ward is the second book in Bronwyn Scott’s Ramsden Brothers series. In this one, we have the eldest Ramsden brother, Peyton, fourth Earl of Dursley, paired with Tessa, the daughter of the English ambassador to Russia who has just recently passed. Before becoming the earl, Peyton was a diplomat and sometimes spy for the crown. Lord Brimley, the man he worked for in the home office, calls him in one day, telling him of a secret list of Russian revolutionaries that Tessa’s father was purported to be compiling before he died. They think that Tessa may be in possession of it now, and that Russians loyal to the Czar may be coming after her. Since she and her sisters are now alone in the world and possibly in need of protection, and the home office needs a way to search her home without raising suspicions, Peyton’s former boss comes up with the scheme of creating a false codicil to her father’s will, naming Peyton as Tessa’s and her sisters’ guardian. With his Aunt Lily’s help, Peyton looks after all the girls, while giving Tessa her season and also looking for the purported documents that could help to avert a war. The more time they spend together, the closer they become, until Peyton starts to have real feelings for Tessa, and she feels the same. But with the Russians hot on the trail of the list, too, they both could be in danger. Not to mention, with Tessa being a mere diplomat’s daughter and not of aristocratic blood, she feels she might not be the right match for an earl, and if she learns the truth about Peyton’s deception, she might not forgive him for lying to her.
Tessa lost her mother nearly a decade earlier when she died shortly after the birth of Tessa’s youngest sister. As she grew up, Tessa became indispensable to her father, acting as his hostess at diplomatic functions, so she’s well versed on the politics of diplomacy. She has spent most of her life in Russia, so moving back to England with her sisters in tow after their father’s death has been a bit of a shock. She’s an independent-minded young woman, though, who is determined to finish raising her sisters in a way that would have made her parents proud. When Sergei, an old friend from Russia who had designs on marrying Tessa and who she once had a crush on, shows up in London with some other Russian diplomats, it’s like having a taste of the country she used to call home. Then, out of the blue, Peyton, a complete stranger shows up at her door, claiming that her father added a codicil to his will, naming him their guardian. Tessa is immediately suspicious, but when the paperwork seems to be in order, she feels she has no choice but to comply. Peyton and his aunt are insistent upon giving Tessa the season she never had. Although that was never a priority for her, she can’t deny that she enjoys attending the balls and parties on her handsome new guardian’s arm and soon they become lovers as well. After her house is ransacked, though, Tessa knows something isn’t right. Peyton eventually confesses about the list, so that they can search for it together, and also about the danger possibly posed by Sergei and his comrades. Tessa can scarcely believe her old friend could be so duplicitous, but her instincts tell her to trust Peyton. As they make inroads on their search, an attempt is made on Peyton’s life and he later disappears, leaving Tessa to save the day. I like that Tessa is a smart cookie who figures out a lot on her own. She’s pretty logical and not particularly reactionary, which was nice, too. I also enjoyed the twist ending where she comes to Peyton’s rescue, but instead of running headlong into danger like some romance heroines might, she does so in a smart way.
Peyton has never given his heart to anyone and instead has simply been playing the rake. When his old boss in the diplomatic corps asks for his help, he’s a bit reluctant to take on four wards, but feeling that his duty to country must come first, he agrees in hopes of finding the supposed list to avert a war. When he discovers how comely the eldest Branscombe daughter is, though, he thinks it might not be so bad after all, except that she turns out to be a bit of a firecracker. It’s not easy convincing her of the fake codicil, nor is the independent miss particularly amenable to the measures he puts in place to try to suss out the list and to keep her and her sisters safe. However, after her house is broken into and trashed, she starts to see reason, especially after he confesses a part of what’s going on. Along the way, Peyton starts to have real feelings for Tessa, and after they become lovers, he immediately offers marriage, even though she initially turns him down. Gradually the Russians’ plan unravels, but even after the danger has passed, Tessa doesn’t entirely feel worthy of marrying a peer and when she learns that Peyton deceived her all along, he definitely has some explaining to do. I liked Peyton and thought he was a good hero. He might not have been too keen on having wards, but he treats Tessa and her sisters very well, playing the big brother to the younger ones. He’s also a real gentleman for offering marriage and for doing his best to put Tessa’s concerns about wedding him to rest.
It’s been a number of years since I read the first Ramsden Brothers book, so I barely remembered it at all. However, it turned out to not be an issue. Peyton’s younger brother, Paine, and his wife, Julia, (Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady) appeared, but they don’t play big enough roles that I needed much of a recap. Peyton’s other brother, Crispin, plays a little larger role, and his is the last book of the series, Untamed Rogue, Scandalous Mistress. I finished The Earl’s Forbidden Ward with somewhat mixed feelings. The earlier parts of the book weren’t always holding my attention well. Not having a strong knowledge of Russian history, the political bits about Russia somewhat confused me, but luckily they were mostly covered in a few pages. I also felt like the setup for the story wasn’t as strong as it could have been, and that Peyton and Tessa’s characterizations could have gone a little deeper. Despite Tessa being a virgin, there is zero pain for her during their first love scene, which just wasn’t believable to me. Their relationship, at first, felt more lusty than loving to me, but I admit that the emotional connection did improve as the story continued. Once some more exciting things started to happen, I became more engaged as well. All those events led to a pretty well-done denouement that I enjoyed. So I’d say that the story started a bit weaker, more in the three-star range, but ended stronger, more in the four-star range, which is why I settled on 3.5 stars. Both Peyton and Tessa were good characters who didn’t rub me the wrong way. Although their story wasn’t perfect, it was very readable and not bad, so overall, this was a pretty good read.
"3.5 stars"The Earl’s Forbidden Ward is the second book in Bronwyn Scott’s Ramsden Brothers series. In this one, we have the eldest Ramsden brother, Peyton, fourth Earl of Dursley, paired with Tessa, the daughter of the English ambassador to Russia who has just recently passed. Before becoming the earl, Peyton was a diplomat and sometimes spy for the crown. Lord Brimley, the man he worked for in the home office, calls him in one day, telling him of a secret list of Russian revolutionaries that Tessa’s father was purported to be compiling before he died. They think that Tessa may be in possession of it now, and that Russians loyal to the Czar may be coming after her. Since she and her sisters are now alone in the world and possibly in need of protection, and the home office needs a way to search her home without raising suspicions, Peyton’s former boss comes up with the scheme of creating a false codicil to her father’s will, naming Peyton as Tessa’s and her sisters’ guardian. With his Aunt Lily’s help, Peyton looks after all the girls, while giving Tessa her season and also looking for the purported documents that could help to avert a war. The more time they spend together, the closer they become, until Peyton starts to have real feelings for Tessa, and she feels the same. But with the Russians hot on the trail of the list, too, they both could be in danger. Not to mention, with Tessa being a mere diplomat’s daughter and not of aristocratic blood, she feels she might not be the right match for an earl, and if she learns the truth about Peyton’s deception, she might not forgive him for lying to her.
Tessa lost her mother nearly a decade earlier when she died shortly after the birth of Tessa’s youngest sister. As she grew up, Tessa became indispensable to her father, acting as his hostess at diplomatic functions, so she’s well versed on the politics of diplomacy. She has spent most of her life in Russia, so moving back to England with her sisters in tow after their father’s death has been a bit of a shock. She’s an independent-minded young woman, though, who is determined to finish raising her sisters in a way that would have made her parents proud. When Sergei, an old friend from Russia who had designs on marrying Tessa and who she once had a crush on, shows up in London with some other Russian diplomats, it’s like having a taste of the country she used to call home. Then, out of the blue, Peyton, a complete stranger shows up at her door, claiming that her father added a codicil to his will, naming him their guardian. Tessa is immediately suspicious, but when the paperwork seems to be in order, she feels she has no choice but to comply. Peyton and his aunt are insistent upon giving Tessa the season she never had. Although that was never a priority for her, she can’t deny that she enjoys attending the balls and parties on her handsome new guardian’s arm and soon they become lovers as well. After her house is ransacked, though, Tessa knows something isn’t right. Peyton eventually confesses about the list, so that they can search for it together, and also about the danger possibly posed by Sergei and his comrades. Tessa can scarcely believe her old friend could be so duplicitous, but her instincts tell her to trust Peyton. As they make inroads on their search, an attempt is made on Peyton’s life and he later disappears, leaving Tessa to save the day. I like that Tessa is a smart cookie who figures out a lot on her own. She’s pretty logical and not particularly reactionary, which was nice, too. I also enjoyed the twist ending where she comes to Peyton’s rescue, but instead of running headlong into danger like some romance heroines might, she does so in a smart way.
Peyton has never given his heart to anyone and instead has simply been playing the rake. When his old boss in the diplomatic corps asks for his help, he’s a bit reluctant to take on four wards, but feeling that his duty to country must come first, he agrees in hopes of finding the supposed list to avert a war. When he discovers how comely the eldest Branscombe daughter is, though, he thinks it might not be so bad after all, except that she turns out to be a bit of a firecracker. It’s not easy convincing her of the fake codicil, nor is the independent miss particularly amenable to the measures he puts in place to try to suss out the list and to keep her and her sisters safe. However, after her house is broken into and trashed, she starts to see reason, especially after he confesses a part of what’s going on. Along the way, Peyton starts to have real feelings for Tessa, and after they become lovers, he immediately offers marriage, even though she initially turns him down. Gradually the Russians’ plan unravels, but even after the danger has passed, Tessa doesn’t entirely feel worthy of marrying a peer and when she learns that Peyton deceived her all along, he definitely has some explaining to do. I liked Peyton and thought he was a good hero. He might not have been too keen on having wards, but he treats Tessa and her sisters very well, playing the big brother to the younger ones. He’s also a real gentleman for offering marriage and for doing his best to put Tessa’s concerns about wedding him to rest.
It’s been a number of years since I read the first Ramsden Brothers book, so I barely remembered it at all. However, it turned out to not be an issue. Peyton’s younger brother, Paine, and his wife, Julia, (Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady) appeared, but they don’t play big enough roles that I needed much of a recap. Peyton’s other brother, Crispin, plays a little larger role, and his is the last book of the series, Untamed Rogue, Scandalous Mistress. I finished The Earl’s Forbidden Ward with somewhat mixed feelings. The earlier parts of the book weren’t always holding my attention well. Not having a strong knowledge of Russian history, the political bits about Russia somewhat confused me, but luckily they were mostly covered in a few pages. I also felt like the setup for the story wasn’t as strong as it could have been, and that Peyton and Tessa’s characterizations could have gone a little deeper. Despite Tessa being a virgin, there is zero pain for her during their first love scene, which just wasn’t believable to me. Their relationship, at first, felt more lusty than loving to me, but I admit that the emotional connection did improve as the story continued. Once some more exciting things started to happen, I became more engaged as well. All those events led to a pretty well-done denouement that I enjoyed. So I’d say that the story started a bit weaker, more in the three-star range, but ended stronger, more in the four-star range, which is why I settled on 3.5 stars. Both Peyton and Tessa were good characters who didn’t rub me the wrong way. Although their story wasn’t perfect, it was very readable and not bad, so overall, this was a pretty good read.
May 12, 2014
Historical Romance set in London in Spring, 1832.
Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley, has been named "Guardian" for Tessa Branscombe and her sisters. He is not crazy about the idea and Tessa, a very independent young lady, is even less thrilled.
And yet, as the relationship develops ...
There is danger and intrigue.
Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley, has been named "Guardian" for Tessa Branscombe and her sisters. He is not crazy about the idea and Tessa, a very independent young lady, is even less thrilled.
And yet, as the relationship develops ...
There is danger and intrigue.
August 21, 2022
2.5 ⭐️
This historical romance is written very well, so this is a personal taste rating for me. I wasn't in the mood for the old-fashioned language (yes, I know it is a historical but this was a little more dry than most) and heavy-euphemism, very brief love scenes, nor the spy-heavy plot. I was also drawn in by the title because I love guardian/ward trope but that trope doesn't really apply here because the heroine is 22 and never met the hero before he declares himself her and her sisters' guardian as part of a spy scheme. He amounts to a suitor with a little more societal permission to be in her life/spend time with her.
This historical romance is written very well, so this is a personal taste rating for me. I wasn't in the mood for the old-fashioned language (yes, I know it is a historical but this was a little more dry than most) and heavy-euphemism, very brief love scenes, nor the spy-heavy plot. I was also drawn in by the title because I love guardian/ward trope but that trope doesn't really apply here because the heroine is 22 and never met the hero before he declares himself her and her sisters' guardian as part of a spy scheme. He amounts to a suitor with a little more societal permission to be in her life/spend time with her.
October 11, 2024
How on earth was this not rated higher?
This was so great!
Peyton was an exceptional character. Starchy enough to satisfy my deep love of grumpy starchy heroes, but not to an absurd degree. His restraint in his confessions of love were far more moving than pages of eye rolling gush. No excessive grovel. Jeez I am tired of chapter-fulls of grovel from a desperate hero.
Tessa too, was my kind of heroine. Strong and willful, but again to a very reasonable and believable degree. She was sensible, accepting help where it was the best thing for her family.
After reading books with really immature characters, these characters were so refreshing. They dealt with the conflicts between them in such reasonable ways. When betrayals are revealed, she is too sensible to believe the worst. His behavior has proven him to be a man of character, and so she recognizes the true limited scope of the issue and does not over react. I was delighted.
Quote:
She was the one woman who loved him with all his conditions. She understood the duality of his existence, the Earl he needed to be, and the man he longed to be. She let him be both. Her very acceptance of his nature made him strong. She was the one woman who had not once tried to change him... it had not crossed her mind to change him because she couldn’t fathom changing herself.
This quote is glorious because they are both excellent people. Imperfect, but deeply ethical, smart and strong.
This was so great!
Peyton was an exceptional character. Starchy enough to satisfy my deep love of grumpy starchy heroes, but not to an absurd degree. His restraint in his confessions of love were far more moving than pages of eye rolling gush. No excessive grovel. Jeez I am tired of chapter-fulls of grovel from a desperate hero.
Tessa too, was my kind of heroine. Strong and willful, but again to a very reasonable and believable degree. She was sensible, accepting help where it was the best thing for her family.
After reading books with really immature characters, these characters were so refreshing. They dealt with the conflicts between them in such reasonable ways. When betrayals are revealed, she is too sensible to believe the worst. His behavior has proven him to be a man of character, and so she recognizes the true limited scope of the issue and does not over react. I was delighted.
Quote:
She was the one woman who loved him with all his conditions. She understood the duality of his existence, the Earl he needed to be, and the man he longed to be. She let him be both. Her very acceptance of his nature made him strong. She was the one woman who had not once tried to change him... it had not crossed her mind to change him because she couldn’t fathom changing herself.
This quote is glorious because they are both excellent people. Imperfect, but deeply ethical, smart and strong.
September 13, 2025
An excellent read, full of drama, intrigue and romance.
Humorous in parts, some angst also.
Well written with a well paced storyline, very likeable main couple and family members.
I enjoyed reading this novel.
Read as a Library eBook.
Humorous in parts, some angst also.
Well written with a well paced storyline, very likeable main couple and family members.
I enjoyed reading this novel.
Read as a Library eBook.
April 17, 2025
this book was alright. i liked the hero and heroine. i would like to have seen the heroine with her sisters a little more and with aunt lily. but other wise alright
July 6, 2013
A great and interesting story and plot... Its characters are special: the hero is an older man near 40 years of age who has never married but whose youngest brother had already established his own family. The heroine is a young woman who's gown up and accustomed to a foreign country, Russia, with a strong, wise and tenacious personality. She's very protective of her remaining family, three younger sisters, and does everything in her ability to protect him from harm. It was interesting to see how the two fell in love with each other and how they overcame the obstacles in their path.
The story has enough suspense, intrigue and romance to keep the reader going. However, I did find that the author's way of relaying major events as memories after they had happened takes from the events' effects on the plot.
I didn't ecpect anything special from the title of the novel; I thought it would be a typical superficial ward/guardian romance. The depth and complexity of the characters and the story was a pleasant surprise. I'm glad I read it and didn't go with my first inclination of abandoning it.
The story has enough suspense, intrigue and romance to keep the reader going. However, I did find that the author's way of relaying major events as memories after they had happened takes from the events' effects on the plot.
I didn't ecpect anything special from the title of the novel; I thought it would be a typical superficial ward/guardian romance. The depth and complexity of the characters and the story was a pleasant surprise. I'm glad I read it and didn't go with my first inclination of abandoning it.
Read
April 1, 2010note: linked to Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady
Peyton isn't the happiest when he is "asked" to take on the guardianship of Tessa Branscombe and her sisters. The girls are in more trouble than they could possibly know and it is his responsibilty to protect and spy on them.
Tessa is trying to begin a new life after her father's death. She has been a diplomats daughter for so long she isn't certain where her new situation in life will lead her and her sisters. She doesn't have time to deal with an arrogant lord because the feelings of being watched have returned. She thought they were safe but it looks like whatever trouble they were in in Russia has followed them home.
Tessa and Peyton are fun to get to know. Both have very strong personalities and both have a great sense of honor. Peyton has to walk a thin line between honor and duty while Tessa struggles with unknown dangers and trust issues but the most dangerous battle is the one against their rising passion.
Peyton isn't the happiest when he is "asked" to take on the guardianship of Tessa Branscombe and her sisters. The girls are in more trouble than they could possibly know and it is his responsibilty to protect and spy on them.
Tessa is trying to begin a new life after her father's death. She has been a diplomats daughter for so long she isn't certain where her new situation in life will lead her and her sisters. She doesn't have time to deal with an arrogant lord because the feelings of being watched have returned. She thought they were safe but it looks like whatever trouble they were in in Russia has followed them home.
Tessa and Peyton are fun to get to know. Both have very strong personalities and both have a great sense of honor. Peyton has to walk a thin line between honor and duty while Tessa struggles with unknown dangers and trust issues but the most dangerous battle is the one against their rising passion.
August 23, 2011
I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about this book. I picked it up a bit creeped out by the idea of the Earl ending up with his ward Tessa. It was a bit too pedophilic (if thats even a word) for my tastes but once the story began and I realized that he wasn't really what he appeared to be I got more comfortable with it and settled in for a good and quick read.
She was headstrong as most regency romance heroine's tend to be but she didn't rub me the wrong way. I've been on a romance kick lately so this fit the bill nicely. Just enough smut to keep me happy without making me flip the pages because I'm disgusted with the crazy amount of sex in it.
Overall a good read. I found myself wanting to stay with the characters and am happy to discover that Ms. Scott (a pen name by the way) will be continuing the story with the Earl's younger brother Paine and one of Tessa's younger sisters.
She was headstrong as most regency romance heroine's tend to be but she didn't rub me the wrong way. I've been on a romance kick lately so this fit the bill nicely. Just enough smut to keep me happy without making me flip the pages because I'm disgusted with the crazy amount of sex in it.
Overall a good read. I found myself wanting to stay with the characters and am happy to discover that Ms. Scott (a pen name by the way) will be continuing the story with the Earl's younger brother Paine and one of Tessa's younger sisters.
October 8, 2016
This one kept me reading. Tessa Branscombe is innocent and unaware of the perils of English society, more aware of Russian society that English as she had lived with her father on his voyages around the continent while her father worked in the Foreign Office.
Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley, has to marry soon, he is drawn back to spying and made take over the guardianship of Tessa and her family, but she intrigues him and both of them become embroiled in a mix of romance and intrigue.
Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley, has to marry soon, he is drawn back to spying and made take over the guardianship of Tessa and her family, but she intrigues him and both of them become embroiled in a mix of romance and intrigue.
November 18, 2014
This was my first book of the Ramsden Brothers series.I loved it, the story was well made,the charcters captured me and i was holding my breath with every passing event. the sxual encounter between Tessa Branscomb and Peyton Ramsden, Earl of Dursley her gardian was full of passion and their relationship was suspenseful.
February 12, 2012
I was disappointed with this read. Characters failed to capture and hold my interest.
January 4, 2013
im lovin this ramsden brothers series ommmommmommm!
wonder why i did'nt tumble acoss b.scott before
wonder why i did'nt tumble acoss b.scott before
May 5, 2014
Fell flat for me, maybe because I hate spy plots. I'd be willing to try another of Scott's though.
November 27, 2015
Regency, which I enjoy. And not as predictable as many of these mass market ones.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews