Rules of Attraction (Governess Brides, Book 3)

The Rules of Enticement:

A woman should never surrender to a man without knowing his intentions. A man should never seduce a woman for the purposes of revenge.

Rules of Society

After nine years, Hannah Setterington has decided tosell the Distinguished Academy of Governesses and explore the secrets of her past. To that end she has agreed to be a companion to the elderly aunt of Lord Raeburn, a man enshrouded by dark mystery and haunted by the rumor that he murdered his wife. A strong-minded woman accustomed to the vagaries of nobility, Hannah believes the rumor to be so much piffle, until she comes face to face with Lord Raeburn.

Rules of Fascination

Dougald Pippard, Lord Raeburn, is deviously satisfied when his plan to trap Hannah springs itself successfully. But his satisfaction is short-lived as the indomitable Hannah draws the battle lines and kisses him with the pent-up passion Dougald hasn't felt for nine long years. The fire that has always flared between them rages again with every touch, every glance,until Dougald is almost ready to forget his wounded memories and plans of revenge for just one more night with her.

Rules of Attraction

Sensuality: 8

Having sold her successful business, the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, Miss Hannah Setterington arrives in Lancashire to accept a position as caretaker to the earl of Raeburn's elderly aunt. Hannah is shocked to learn that the newly titled earl is none other than Dougald Pippard, the man she loved and ran away from nine years before. Dougald isn't the slightest bit surprised to see Hannah, for her arrival at Raeburn Castle is the result of a carefully planned scheme to bring her back into his life. Furthermore, he has the power to compel her to remain in Lancashire, for he can give Hannah something she yearns for--a meeting with her deceased father's parents.

While Hannah and Dougald are engaged in a battle of wits and wills, something wicked is afoot at the Castle. The prior two earls were killed in accidents shortly after coming into the title, and when Dougald is shot at and then attacked by thugs, it's clear that he's next on someone's hit list. Whether Hannah and Dougald will arrive at a mutually agreeable truce is debatable, but before the two can live happily ever after they must first discover the identity of the mysterious villain.

This latest in Christina Dodd's Governess series has delightfully Gothic touches with the heroine arriving at a forbidding castle on a stormy night, a dark, brooding hero, and danger threatening the two. In typical Dodd fashion, however, the Gothic elements are offset by the warmth and humor in the wonderfully interesting cast of secondary characters and plenty of romantic tension between Hannah and her earl.--Lois Faye Dyer