Life has never been easy for Miss Emma Grenville. She learned hardship at a young age and was left desolate, defenseless, and alone to find her way. Struggling to survive, Emma was rescued by her aunt, the headmistress of Miss Grenville's School for Girls. Older, wiser, and still naïve, Emma is now the head lady in charge. While her school struggles to get by, Emma has always found ways to make it work and the school has found ways to pay for the tuition of a few unfortunates. Unfortunately, for Emma the rules are about to change. The landlord is tripling the rents, unless an agreement can be arranged between the headstrong and overly arrogant nephew, the Duke of Wycliffe, and Emma. A wager is taken and Emma must find a way to save Haverly...a way that is better than his.

The Duke of Wycliffe, Grey to his friends, has been hounded and tricked more times than he can count by women. Woman after woman has been conniving, cunning, and mocking their way into his life, his home, and his bed; but never to the altar. Grey has successfully thwarted all their attempts to do otherwise. Getting a summons to come to his uncle's estates during the height of the season was nothing short of a blessing and a means of escaping any further attempts on his person. Finding out that the estate was in ruins was quite a surprise. Grey determines the need to raise the rents and encounters only one stumbling block along his way... Miss Grenville and her infuriating husband trapping school for girls. When one thing leads to another Grey finds himself in a wager. All he has to do is teach ballroom etiquette and social manners better than she can, a situation that Grey believes should be no problem. Little did he know that his misconceptions about the school would be set to rights and his interest in one headmistress would lead him in the bet of his life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting was wonderful and the characters were everything I wanted them to be and more. Each character that entered the story had a part and Ms. Enoch wrote them all beautifully. I loved the cool wit that came out of Emma's mouth, the fact that she was never quite steady on her feet around Grey. The attraction between the two grew at a steady pace and was not rushed through as so many romance authors tend to do. The added benefit of the girls attending the school was remarkable. I really liked the personalities that were displayed from the charm and beauty of Jane right down to the sarcastic remarks made by Lizzy. The only thing that I thought was missing was the story of Tristan. Hopefully Ms. Enoch will not disappoint me and will leave that story for yet another book.

Book Summary

Miss Emma Grenville, who is no silly debutante, has had her fill of thick-headed noblemen who believe women exist solely to satisfy men. And her arrogant new landlord, the Duke of Wycliffe, is the worst of the lot! The too attractive cad wants to triple the rent on Emma's finishing school for young ladies to help get his uncle's estate out of dept. Well, Greydon Brakenridge clearly needs educating - - about women. And Emma's just the one to enlighten him! The sinfully handsome duke has never met a woman he couldn't outwit and seduce. And now that he's tricked Emma into a wager, he has the stubborn headmistress right where her wants her -- and hopefully, soon in his bed. But the confirmed bachelor underestimates the intelligent and surprisingly sensual Miss Grenville. For she may be leading Greydon to a place neither dreamed they'd ever go -- to the altar.

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