Rakes and Rogues

This collection contains stories by two very well known authors in the Regency genre, Mary Balogh and Mary Jo Putney, and three others with whom I was unfamiliar (Melinda McRae, Anita Mills and Maura Seger). The first story is "Hide-and-seek" by Melinda McRae and features Miss Juliet Waldron who works as governess and mother to the seven illegitimate children of Viscount Belmont. Although an attractive woman, Belmont has always found that she 'lacks passion' and so hasn't ever considered a dalliance with her - plus he's not sure he could ever replace her as governess as she is so good at the job. Juliet knows, too, that she would struggle to find employment elsewhere because she has a son that she bore out of wedlock. However Juliet has long been in love with Belmont and when she discovers a beautiful gown she decides to attend a masque with him to give herself a Cinderella-like evening. She soon discovers one evening in his company as a desirable woman isn't enough and both she and Belmont find their needs and desires for the future becoming more important. This was a well-written story with the viscount a surprisingly sympathetic character, despite his rake nature. He is clearly a loving father and cares for his staff although I couldn't quite entirely like him because of his sexual shenanigans. For this reader there was some doubt as to whether he could really commit to monogamy but otherwise this was a very pleasant read. The second story is "Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know" by Mary Jo Putney and it's set in America rather than England. Andrew Kane is the younger son of an English baronet who's spent ten years in America gambling and generally being restless. However he is now on his way to the hangman's noose after being arrested for murder. When young widow Liza Holden sees him being mistreated she goes to his aid, not realising the chain of events that will be set in place. The setting of this story was particularly interesting with the rather rough-and-ready justice of the historical period. Both Drew and Liza were good characters, both facing uncertain futures and mourning missed opportunities. It was an easy read and, although there were no great surprises, it was an enjoyable story. Mary Balogh's story "The Wrong Door" is the third instalment in this book and, like most of her short stories or full length novels, is excellent. It shows what happens when a case of mistaken identity means that a rake is forced to make a marriage proposal. However he is surprised to find his proposal rejected because the young lady, Caroline Astor, refuses to marry without love. They then make a wager that they can make each other fall in love with them in 24 hours and the two spend time together, trying to enchant each other and yet with the freedom to know that they can part the next day if necessary. This was an excellent story because it showed why a rake might want to reform, how he begins to understand that there is a difference between a femal