My Lady Mischief

Oh the Scottish temper of Miss Mary MacGregor. She is horrified to arrive at her fiancée's home only to find out he had married another! He had sent her money to travel and she had quit her position as governess and all-around drudge to a large family to do so. Stephen, Lord St. John meets with her and tells her that Christopher has just married and left on his wedding trip. Her temper erupts and she tells Stephen she will sue for breech of promise! Instead, he offers himself up to marry and before she can think twice, she is Stephen's wife ... and also very ill from the hard and rainy trip. Stephen is very caring of her during her fever. Stephen proves to be very kind to Mary but dictatorial. He loves to provoke her by saying he will tame her. They are a passionate couple too, even though Mary thinks to reject him - she cannot. He enjoys calling her "My Lady Mischief" since she stirs up trouble! Finally her hate and anger turn to love. But does he return her love? Christopher returns and offers Mary an affair. She just slaps him (loved that). But there are others in the household to stir up trouble. Christopher's mother Lady Helena lives with the family (step-mother to Stephen), Christopher's plain wife Georgiana and an old family employee Mr. Basset. These secondary characters are well-fleshed and interesting in their own right. Besides the tribulations of Mary, there are some illegal activities going on. Plus what happened to Stephen's former fiancée Angela who was murdered? Was he responsible? Is he smuggling, killing ... just what is going on? Can Mary trust Stephen? You will have to read this delightful book to find the answers!