The Mysterious Lord Ballantine – Maggi Andersen

Lady Diana plans to take a lover and has found the perfect, albeit reluctant, gentleman. She needs him to assist her in a perilous quest. He sees the road ahead fraught with danger but finds her difficult to resist.

When Lady Diana Stafford saves the Earl of Ballantine from highwaymen’s attack on his coach, a chance meeting leads to a diverting friendship with the earl the following London Season. However, this Season, Diana faces a deadline. Her father considers his fiery daughter troublesome and plans to marry Diana to the man of his choice.

Diana has other ideas. Take a lover, and she could have lovely memories of romance before a dull marriage. Those plans become secondary, though, when she hears that her dearest friend has been kidnapped. Everyone believes that the marquess’s daughter has been killed—except Diana. But she requires a gentleman to help her search for her friend. Who better than Lord Ballantine?

Damian Beaufort, Earl of Ballantine, works for the Crown. He wishes to continue his dangerous missions, which makes having a wife and family impossible. In pursuit of a spy loose in London who has stolen documents meant for English forces in Spain, Damian could find his life in danger. He must resist the lady he wants very much.

But, frustratingly, Lady Diana is far too beguiling. He cannot have an affair with a duke’s daughter. He should walk away. But somehow, he finds himself becoming her protector and enjoying it far too much.

The risks are undeniable. Can he control his desire for her while alone with her for the nights and days ahead?

Review

I LOVE historical romances; no questions about that. But I’m quite picky about my romances, though. I want my protagonist to be quite the firecracker sometimes with the male interest, and for him to be completely and utterly devoted to her.

Yep, The Mysterious Lord Ballantine hit that sweet spot.

After a chance encounter where the lady saves the day, Lady Diana piques the interest of Lord Damian Ballantine, and despite his best efforts for her own good, he just can’t keep her away from his mind!

This is very picky and very “my own taste” type of thing, but I much prefer it when love interests are in the same social class. Perhaps this is why I don’t normally read regency romances, despite I actually quite liking them; it’s because all I find is either “poor girl rich man” or “poor boy rich woman.” Give me variety, please!

The book was a treat, no other way to describe it. I’ve had the fortune to read historical romances where some social issues are addressed tactfully, but never taking away from the main romance and oversaturating the plot; only a good flow can do that. Add that to the thrilling aspects of Lord Ballantine’s work with the Crown, everything mixes up wonderfully, making this book a total snack read. Very well, Maggi Andersen!