When an oversized painting of a beautiful nude woman appears in his gentlemen’s club,
Julian Delane, Earl of Parkhurst, becomes intrigued by the model (rumored to be a local
society miss) and by the only thing she is wearing—a valuable necklace that was
stolen from his family many years ago. When three young women sneak into the club trying
to steal the painting, Julian believes that one of them must be the model. He and his two
gentlemen friends make a wager regarding each young woman.
Using his highly reliable instincts, Julian selects Rebecca Leland as the most likely model.
He pursues her over the next week, asking her questions and undressing her with his eyes to
determine if she posed for the painting, but more importantly, to learn where she got the
necklace. When Rebecca becomes the target of a criminal gang also after the necklace, she and
Julian begin a wild adventure traveling through the English countryside, changing their
identities in each town. The more he gets to know Rebecca, the more Julian is determined not
to let her (or the necklace) come to harm.
As in her charming 2008 historical romance, Never Dare A Duke (also
reviewed on Myshelf.com),
Gayle Callen again delivers a delightful story in which two likeable characters get thrown
together in compromising situations. Their light banter and growing sexual tension keep the
story fresh, although some of the major plot points could be stronger (especially the beginning
wager and the ending solution to the mystery of the stolen necklace).
Although friends, relatives, and villains enter and exit as the story dictates, Julian
and Rebecca will keep readers enthralled with their revelations about the past, individual
personality quirks, and growing passion for each other. In Pursuit Of A Scandalous Lady
zips along at an enjoyable pace, and the excitingly scandalous cross-country
adventure—which comprises the majority of the book—is the reason why romance
readers buy these books in the first place.