It's 1911, and the Montague estate is aflutter with anticipation – the second daughter of the Earl of Carran is about to announce her engagement to Lord Henry, the youngest son of the Marquess of Cliffe. Family and servants are in London to celebrate the big announcement at a grand soiree during this year's season.
But Lord Henry is not the perfect match everyone had hoped for. He has a secret, and a nasty streak, which footman Ted soon finds out as he attempts to resist Henry's unwanted attention.
Meanwhile, Richard, Lord Carran's valet, receives an offer that is very difficult to refuse.
Torn between his love for Ted and the prospect of new adventures, he is too distracted to notice his lover's predicament, until a scandal is upon them that could destroy their good names and their future happiness.
The Season
This book by Mel Gough was an enjoyable read. I liked how the historical setting came across as believable and detailed without feeling formal. Richard and Ted are strong, likable characters, and their relationship drew me right in from the start. There's a good balance between romance and drama. The way the book handled tougher topics, like power and class differences, felt thoughtful. This was an engaging story and I'm glad I gave it a chance.