Secrets of a Proper Lady (Last Man Standing, 3)

This book was very cute and kept you wondering what trouble the main character was going to get into next. Sometimes you are yelling JUST TELL THE TRUTH! I like the story line and I liked the book. Would recommend to the historical reader who is not looking for mushy mushy love stuff. Very funny at the same time romantic.

London, England 1854 SECRETS OF A PROPER LADY is a light and delightful quick read! Thoroughly enjoyable!

Groups of four men form a tontine and the winner is the last man married. Very quick two men are out leaving Daniel Sinclair and Oliver Leighton. Daniel's father arranges for him to marry Cordelia to blend their business interests. Cordelia decided to pretend to be her own companion and Daniel pretends to be his secretary and the lies just building. This book had me laughing and shaking my head at the characters (in a watching train wreck kind-a way!). This was my favorite of the series, Enjoy! Check out the whole series; A Little Bit Wicked (1), What a Lady Wants (2), Secrets of a Proper Lady (3) If you enjoy this genre, I would also suggest; Forever Yours by Janmarie Anello and How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins, The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans and The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale.

In 1854 London, visiting American businessman Daniel Sinclair is determined to win the wager of one pound each and a bottle of cognac he made with three English aristocrats as to who would be the last one standing single. Two are down and though he fears their tontine is cursed, Daniel does not plan on being next although he is betrothed to Lady Cordelia Bannister, as the competition is between him and Oliver Leighton. Cordelia and Daniel have never met so she decides to learn more about the American she is to marry; if she finds him unsatisfactory she will call off the nuptials. She goes undercover pretending to be her companion, Sarah. However, Daniel needs time to put off his wedding if he is to win the wager; when his fiancée's companion visits him he pretends to be a friend of Daniel. As they fall in love, both fears the truth will destroy their chance at lifetime of love. Readers will appreciate the madcap third Victorian romance that is a wild gender battle based on deception, misdirection, and love. The amusing story line is fun to follow as Daniel insists he's not in love and Cordelia fears her masquerade will cost her the love of a lifetime. As with WHAT A LADY WANTS and LITTLE BIT WICKED, sub-genre fans will toast Victoria Alexander for an entertaining historical. Harriet Klausner

In SECRETS OF A PROPER LADY, the third book in Victoria Alexander's fabulous and fun "Last Man Standing" series, the author takes us back to 1854 Victorian England and gives us a thoroughly delightful tale that's set partly in London, but also offers us a refreshingly different setting, that of the picturesque seaside resort town of Brighton. Ms. Alexander gives us some interesting descriptions of the once little fishing town that was made into a lively, exciting and fashionable gathering place by the Prince Regent, later known as King George IV, who had the magnificent and exotically beautiful Royal Pavilion built. Lady Cordelia Bannister, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Marsham, is pretty, intelligent and has a very independent nature. She is very well traveled for a young woman of her time and is also a talented writer who has written several articles for ladies magazines; and eventually plans to write a book on travel for women. At almost 26 Cordelia has yet to marry--though she had had several offers, she never felt her affections were engaged. She wants to marry a man who'll accept her for herself, respect her and her opinions and also--to marry for love. In the past her parents had always supported her endeavors, as well as, her desire to wed for love, but now her father's having some financial problems with his shipping enterprise and he wants Cordelia to accept an arranged marriage to the only son of Mr. Harold Sinclair; a wealthy and well respected American businessman. Mr. Sinclair owns a very successful steamship line and both families would benefit--socially and financially--from the union. The only thing Daniel Sinclair, a handsome, intelligent, hardworking and ambitious American railroad entrepreneur--and all around nice guy--knows about Lady Cordelia is her name, and that his father has (again) taken it upon himself to arrange a marriage for him to a British heiress. Daniel is quite angry about his father's highhandedness because at 31 he would prefer to choose his own wife--and he definitely doesn't want one as part of a business arrangement. Yet, Daniel's a man of integrity, and he feels honor bound to uphold the family name and keep the commitment his father made with Lord Marsham. He knows his only way out is if Cordelia refuses to marry him. Cordelia is a responsible young woman as well, and understands the importance of her marrying to save her family from possible financial ruin...But can she actually marry someone for mainly monetary reasons and her sense of filial duty--thereby giving up her chance at finding her "one true love"??? Or is Daniel's coming into her life really "fate" at work??? To get to know him a little better, her mother suggests writing letters as an informal way of communicating with Daniel and establishing a friendly relationship before actually meeting him in person--and then feeling forced to make a commitment. Cordelia agrees, but then decides to take fate into her own hands and dete