Palace Intrigue

 

Rogues are always fun as are age-old tropes such as marriages of convenience.   Once more I bring a new author to myself in Johanna Lindsey with A Rogue Of My Own.

Characters: Lady Rebecca Marshall, Marquis Rupert St. John (with guest appearances by their families).

Premise: A woman in the Queen's court finds intrigue and romance.

So let's dive into the story. Full disclosure, it was the cover that interested me at first and then the promise of palace intrigue.  When we're introduced to Rebecca Marshall, she has just started her London Season being chosen for the Queen's Court, which is seen as a boon by her mother, Lily, and they plan accordingly.  Once there, Rebecca is immediately at odds with her roommate, Evelyn who tries to get her to leave in disgrace having done the same to her last roommate by causing her to fly into a temper and create a scandal, but Rebecca's having none of that and stands up for herself, catching the eye of the woman in charge, Sarah, who decides to use her for her own palace intrigues and it's during her first---and only assignment for Sarah---where Rebecca first meets Rupert. 

Rupert for his part is instantly smitten, and believe me, the feeling is mutual.  Rupert's been investigating a man named Simon Pearson who is suspected of treason and his rogue-ish ways are part of his cover.  However, as expected, passion and feelings happen and Rupert and Rebecca end up having sex, resulting in Rebecca becoming pregnant, which she tells him just as he's slated to leave on an assignment, accidentally joining him when the ship they're on takes off before she can disembark.  And this is when the feathers hit the fan.  Rupert---not wanting to be tied down---automatically suspects Rebecca is lying and is extremely cold to her, though he ultimately decides to marry her "just in case" she's telling the truth, determined to divorce her once he gets word that she's not expecting, which, my dude, use your big brain here, not your fear.  I really, really wanted to throttle him, not gonna lie. 

Thus begins the battle of wills.  As they visit his family, Rupert's determined to catch Rebecca in a lie, Rebecca's determined to get him to see reason. and it's not until Lily takes Rebecca away so that she can have some peace and quiet and his uncle lays into him and he realizes "Holy heck.  I'm in love with her", which, duh, dude, everyone could've told you that.

While all of this romantic stuff has been happening, Rebecca and Rupert have also been caught up in Rupert's investigation in Simon, even getting shot at in a carriage, and it seems like everything's over and done with when Simon is reported dead from a gunshot wound from Rupert's gun.  However, this is not the end of things and Rebecca and Lily end up being taken captive by Simon's widow, Mary, who wants Rupert to feel the same way she does.  Thankfully, Lily and Rebecca are able to outsmart Mary and Rupert rides to the rescue, with Rebecca and Rupert finally making up.

As far as stories go, I found it enjoyable.  The characters were engaging and made me root for them. However, I would've liked to have a little more intrigue, I wanted to know just why Rupert was so convinced that Rebecca was lying about being pregnant (seriously, my dude, what was that about?), and I'm not really sure she should've forgiven him so fast.  I mean, heck, I wouldn't have.  That being said, again, I enjoyed it and I'd give it a 6.