Her Ladyship's Companion

I don't generally read novels with so few reviews, so I thought I'd take a moment to add mine to the list! I felt this book was well written and the plot was engaging. I will say that it was more sensual than most romances I read, but that's just personal preference. I found that even so, it did not stop me from enjoying the story in the least. I hope that the author will consider continuing to write about Bella's siblings as I was left wanting to know more about them and their stories. And, I suppose, that right there is a sign of a good story.

I noticed this book because of the cover... beautiful art work. I didn't recognize the author so I took a chance and now I am looking for more books by her. The writing is VERY good. Both characters POV, and both POV's were powerful. I really liked the style and flow of the writing. It was intelligent. I loved Gideon. You didn't get alot of information on his early years... just enough to make you feel for him. I liked Isabella or Bella.. Bella, as Gideon called her. I really didn't want this one to end.

Lady Isabella had always lived by the rules. A beautiful young lady and one who was the picture of English propriety. Surrounded by a loving family and comfortable home, she should have felt the same contentment as most young women her age felt. Yet, deep within, she desperately hungered for something more and it is in that moment when she finally gives in to temptation, that her comfortable existence comes crashing down around her. Forced by her brother to marry, Isabella is then carted off to Scotland. Five long and miserable years pass. She is humiliated, abused and left in near isolation for months at a time. Yet, somehow Isabella manages to carry on with her only only source of joy coming from the occasional visits from her cousin, Esme. With each stay at Bowhill Park, it is becoming more and more obvious to Esme just how desperate Isabella is for companionship. And so, she makes a simple suggestion... Why not hire a lover? Isabella is outright shocked that Esme would even suggest something so insane. But even as the word "no" passes her lips, somewhere deep inside the mere thought of feeling desired once again, brings to life feelings she had believed long dead. Luckily for Isabella, Esme simply wouldn't take "no" for an answer and upon returning to London she acquires the services of, Gideon Rosedale. Gideon Rosedale, a lady's companion who is quite distinguished for his ability to bring pleasure to the women who seek his services. He's handsome, confident, and holds the fairer sex in the highest esteem. He is a man who truly believes that every woman deserves feel desired, and through the years has mastered the ability to deliver exactly what his clients need without ever allowing his own personal desires get in the way. As far as Gideon is concerned, this most recent job would be no different than the last. He was required to spend a fortnight at Bowhill Park, seeing to the pleasures of Lady Stirling. What he didn't realize was that the trip from London to Scotland was going to change his life forever. In Gideon's eyes, Lady Sterling is perfection. Stunningly beautiful, well mannered, polite and pleasurable to be around. He can't begin to fathom why a woman like her would ever need to seek male companionship. Initially, Isabella is reluctant to allow him to stay at all. But with each smile, each kind gesture, her nearly broken spirit begins to come to life once again. And although she knows these attentions are paid for, it doesn't take long before desperation for human contact claws it's way through her conscience and for the first time in nearly five years, Isabella allows herself to feel something other than loneliness. As the days come to pass these two people left alone in the Scottish countryside begin to slowly unravel the layers to each other's souls in ways no one ever had before. They are able to look beyond the physical, to see the true person who lies beneath and in the process find a love that neither of them had

In 1811 her brother Philip catches Lady Isabella with her lover and informs her she will marry odious Lord Stirling in a loveless match. She feels guilty and hopes to regain her place as Philip's sister and acquiesces to his demands. Her abusive spouse dumps Lady Bella Stirling on his most isolated Scottish estate Bowhill Park to live by herself soon after their vows. For five years now her life is that of a hermit though she enjoys working her rose garden and the visits from her cousin Esme Marceau. Worried that Bella is alone with no companionship, Esme sends her male prostitute Mr. Gideon Rosedale, who is renowned for bringing satisfaction to his wealthy female clients. Bella quickly digs past the surface hunk to the intelligent gentleman he hides from his customers. Gideon digs past the prim and proper aristocrat to the seductress she hides from society. As he mentors his customer on lovemaking, Bella falls in love with Gideon, but his time with her is coming to a climax. This is an exhilarating heated regency romance starring two obvious opposites as she is an aristocrat and he is a working class male prostitute whose customers are wealthy ladies of leisure. Their love has no chance for several reasons yet it blossoms like her roses. Sub-genre fans will relish the relationship between the lady and her companion as a refreshing historical with a torrid seductive edge. Harriet Klausner