Lady, Behave

Lady, Behave (Naughty Ladies #2)

by Cerise DeLand

She was a Diamond with a few very tiny flaws—and the desire to be good.

He was a rogue with the sense to reform—and to help her to be bad. 

Adelaide Devereaux flabbergasts most men she meets. She’s a Diamond, petite, mild-mannered—the perfect picture of a demure lady. She has one ambition—to kiss every man she likes until she finds one whose lips make her hear church bells chime. 

In Brighton, she meets confirmed bachelor Gyles, Marquess of Heath, who is felled by her charm. Though he vows to kiss her until she's felt the earth turn on its axis, he cannot claim her unless he fixes his parents’ refusal to accept her. They’re too high in the instep to accept a wayward Irish lass who’s the granddaughter of a notorious rascal.

Pride might stall their romance, and lust might motivate a scoundrel to try to carry Addy away, but when love is the only passion that matters, do not all objections fall before its power? 

The Plot

Addy and Gyles’ story was more enjoyable for me than Imogen and Lex. There were several opportunities for increased drama and I was disappointed to not get them…I won’t spoil the story with details, but a few side plots could have been built up more. Also, it took me a bit to get used to the idea that most of Addys story was occurring right along side Imogene’s. So there was definite overlap of scenes, but it was interesting to see how they were interwoven. 

The Heroine

Addy is a beautiful, petite Diamond of Society, but she desperately wants to be seen for more than her beauty. She smart and interested in alchemy, mixing medicine. She is instantly drawn to Gayle’s and is wooed by his pure attraction to her and his appreciation of her thoughts and talents. She can be very sweet, docile, and polite, but, as several gentleman found out, also very honest and straightforward! 

The Hero

Gyles was imprisoned in Paris for many years in his youth and vowed to live life to the fullest when he escaped! But once he sets on eyes on Addy, he is smitten! He has headaches from his time in captivity and Addy helps him. He also harbors some ill-will towards his dad for not paying the ransom to release him and for his horrible management of his estates. For all that Gyles has to deal with, remarkably, he takes it in stride. He knows he loves Addy and will stop at nothing, including defy his parents wishes, to have her! 

The Steam

Even if I didn’t fully fall for the installed, the steam was definitely there between the two. They had great dirty banter and the few scenes were steamy!,

Tropes

Georgian Era, Historical Romance, Season/Marriage Mart, Ton Society, Rake Hero, Titled Hero, Virgin Heroine, Instant Attraction, Kidnapped/Abducted