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A review by scoutmomskf
The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath
5.0
This is the first book in the King's Elite series and it captured my attention from the beginning. I loved both main characters, and the setting of stopping a ring of smugglers with ties to Napoleon.
Clarissa is a reigning beauty in Society, well known for her charm and perfect appearance. This perfection hides a profoundly insecure woman who hides a secret that would topple her from the pedestal she is on. She feels that the only way to protect herself is to marry a duke (because who would question a duchess?) and has pursued the Duke of Westridge for two years. His courtship has been lackadaisical at best, and his attention has recently begun to wander. Needing some peace to regroup, Clarissa left London to visit her sister. Her fixation on marrying a duke was irritating at first but became understandable as her issues were revealed.
Seb is a member of an elite spy ring working for the British government. Recently wounded, he is recovering at the home of Dr. Joe Warriner, brother of one of his colleagues, and anxious to return to his mission. Seb is a man who can blend in anywhere, but would rather face a deadly enemy than have to converse with a woman. Confronted with Clarissa and her stunning beauty, Seb became a tongue-tied mess. It's unusual to find a hero who doesn't reek of self-confidence, and Seb's shyness and moments of blushing were sweet.
Seb and Clarissa intrigued each other from the very start. Though overwhelmed by her beauty, it didn't take long for Seb to see that she used that beauty as a façade to hide the real her. Clarissa sensed his attention and used her own observational skills on him. She couldn't help but notice his physique and how different he was from the other men she knew. Though gruff on the outside, she saw the kindness in his eyes. Both had their pride, however, and maintained their outward appearances. But the sparks that were there between them created an unexpected encounter that night, as each one's inability to sleep sent them to the kitchens for a late-night snack. Seb ended up more than a little tipsy and became very talkative, something that didn't usually happen with him. I ached for him as he talked about his past and sighed at his admission of his shyness and difficulty talking to women. I also loved his observations of Clarissa and his advice to her about the duke. He finished off his ramblings with an unexpected kiss that shook them both.
Six weeks later, Seb was back at work, with a new assignment in their search for the leaders of the smugglers. A task that he isn't happy about. Instead of his usual background position, he will be front and center as Lord Millcroft, trying to work his way into a suspect's circle. It was his bad luck that on his first night being introduced to Society he ran into Clarissa, who could blow his cover with one word. Clarissa's intelligence shines through in this part as she listens to his explanation and steps in to help. Her acceptance of "Lord Millcroft" and presence at his side cement his place. In addition, she helps smooth over any of his rough spots. As a benefit to her, Seb's attentions to her waken a bit of jealousy in her duke.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Seb and Clarissa. Their work together to uncover the smugglers frequently put them in each other's company. As they work together, their feelings for each other grow and change. Seb falls hard for Clarissa but knows her eyes are set on the Duke of Westbridge. His background also holds him back as he is well below her in standing. For Clarissa, the more time she spends with Seb, the less enthralled she is with the duke. Seb's appreciation of her intelligence begins to change the way she sees herself. Her increase in confidence gives her the boost she needs to go after what she wants. I loved Clarissa's big moment at the end.
The mystery of the smugglers was great. It was an essential part of the story but didn't detract from the romance. I was on the edge of my seat as the book progressed, waiting to see what would happen. I loved how Seb and Clarissa's efforts complemented each other, and the way they made a perfect team. I laughed out loud at the scene with Clarissa in men's clothes, determined to help and refusing to be left behind. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, as well as an example of Clarissa's ingenuity. I loved the twist at the end and look forward to seeing more of them in future books.
I liked the secondary characters of Seb's fellow spies, Flint, Gray, and Hadleigh. All of them seemed to enjoy giving Seb a hard time, especially Gray. He really stirred the pot the night that Seb went out with the other "gentlemen."
Clarissa is a reigning beauty in Society, well known for her charm and perfect appearance. This perfection hides a profoundly insecure woman who hides a secret that would topple her from the pedestal she is on. She feels that the only way to protect herself is to marry a duke (because who would question a duchess?) and has pursued the Duke of Westridge for two years. His courtship has been lackadaisical at best, and his attention has recently begun to wander. Needing some peace to regroup, Clarissa left London to visit her sister. Her fixation on marrying a duke was irritating at first but became understandable as her issues were revealed.
Seb is a member of an elite spy ring working for the British government. Recently wounded, he is recovering at the home of Dr. Joe Warriner, brother of one of his colleagues, and anxious to return to his mission. Seb is a man who can blend in anywhere, but would rather face a deadly enemy than have to converse with a woman. Confronted with Clarissa and her stunning beauty, Seb became a tongue-tied mess. It's unusual to find a hero who doesn't reek of self-confidence, and Seb's shyness and moments of blushing were sweet.
Seb and Clarissa intrigued each other from the very start. Though overwhelmed by her beauty, it didn't take long for Seb to see that she used that beauty as a façade to hide the real her. Clarissa sensed his attention and used her own observational skills on him. She couldn't help but notice his physique and how different he was from the other men she knew. Though gruff on the outside, she saw the kindness in his eyes. Both had their pride, however, and maintained their outward appearances. But the sparks that were there between them created an unexpected encounter that night, as each one's inability to sleep sent them to the kitchens for a late-night snack. Seb ended up more than a little tipsy and became very talkative, something that didn't usually happen with him. I ached for him as he talked about his past and sighed at his admission of his shyness and difficulty talking to women. I also loved his observations of Clarissa and his advice to her about the duke. He finished off his ramblings with an unexpected kiss that shook them both.
Six weeks later, Seb was back at work, with a new assignment in their search for the leaders of the smugglers. A task that he isn't happy about. Instead of his usual background position, he will be front and center as Lord Millcroft, trying to work his way into a suspect's circle. It was his bad luck that on his first night being introduced to Society he ran into Clarissa, who could blow his cover with one word. Clarissa's intelligence shines through in this part as she listens to his explanation and steps in to help. Her acceptance of "Lord Millcroft" and presence at his side cement his place. In addition, she helps smooth over any of his rough spots. As a benefit to her, Seb's attentions to her waken a bit of jealousy in her duke.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Seb and Clarissa. Their work together to uncover the smugglers frequently put them in each other's company. As they work together, their feelings for each other grow and change. Seb falls hard for Clarissa but knows her eyes are set on the Duke of Westbridge. His background also holds him back as he is well below her in standing. For Clarissa, the more time she spends with Seb, the less enthralled she is with the duke. Seb's appreciation of her intelligence begins to change the way she sees herself. Her increase in confidence gives her the boost she needs to go after what she wants. I loved Clarissa's big moment at the end.
The mystery of the smugglers was great. It was an essential part of the story but didn't detract from the romance. I was on the edge of my seat as the book progressed, waiting to see what would happen. I loved how Seb and Clarissa's efforts complemented each other, and the way they made a perfect team. I laughed out loud at the scene with Clarissa in men's clothes, determined to help and refusing to be left behind. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, as well as an example of Clarissa's ingenuity. I loved the twist at the end and look forward to seeing more of them in future books.
I liked the secondary characters of Seb's fellow spies, Flint, Gray, and Hadleigh. All of them seemed to enjoy giving Seb a hard time, especially Gray. He really stirred the pot the night that Seb went out with the other "gentlemen."