What the hell kind of hero is this? Hazlit obviously had a thing for Maggie the way he was always sniffing her hair (cringe) and keeping mementos of her (3 strands of her hair coiled into a circle and tied with string, double cringe). Then he would chastise her and call her a dollymop! He came across as a total creep with a hair fetish. Would you find it romantic to discover a lock of your hair surreptitiously cut off with a pen knife? He got better when they became more acquainted but he was the creepiest protagonist I have read in a historical romance for the first 20% of the book. He does redeem himself by the time we find out Mag's secret.Maggie's birth mother was a most despicable woman and what she intended for her younger daughter is downright revolting. I've been reading mostly male titled GB books which probably explains why I find GB's writing of the Moreland sons to be more bromance than this book, although Ben and his cuz, Archer have a close relationship (see below). I loved Maggie (in the prequel novellas) when she was a hungry neglected girl who His Grace brought home to Esther, so I'm glad she grew to be an intelligent beauty, well loved by her parents as well as her half siblings.In this story, Maggie turns down Benjamin's marriage proposal, just like the 3 heroines in the Heir, the Soldier and the Virtuoso. Why do these heroines play so deuced hard to get? And yet so easy when it comes to swiving? And why are the men so inquisitive/knowledgeable about their ladies' courses? I also find it curious that in a few other GB stories as in this one, men bathe while having conversations in the presence of their close male friends/relatives, and not because they were waiting their turn for the bath water! I don't believe she has her female characters do that though.And another thing, these Windhams sure have a sweet tooth, always drinking chocolate and lemonade and eating scones and creme cakes...it's a tad frustrating to read GB books whilst on a diet!! I want a tea tray too! This was the first book I have read by Grace Burrowes and is not the first in the Windham series. I was able to read it without prior knowledge but as usual it would have been easier knowing the other background characters. But since Maggie is so removed from the Duke and Duchess it was possible to enjoy her story. As an acknowledged daughter of the duke, but NOT the Duchess of Moreland, Maggie was raised by them since the age of 5 or 6. She has been loved and treated like all the other children, but has always felt different. Maggie is a spinster who lives independently but near her family. She leads a quiet life and has always known she must not bring any shame to her family since she already began life with a black mark against her for being born on the wrong side of the blanket.Maggie has a secret and a need to recover something from a stolen purse. She asks Benjamin Hazlit who played a role in another novel I haven't read to help her recover it. He seems to eat a lot of her food while helping her recover her missing items. Benjamin begins to care for her and Maggie still doesn't completely confide in him. When she does and the secrets come out - they are dark and painful. We discover of legacy of secrets amidst romance and acceptance. Good, but probably a better read if you began with the first book in the series.
Do You like book El Secreto De Lady Maggie (2013)?
3 1/2 ... another historical romances that I enjoyed more than I probably should.
—Anthony
Didn't engage me as much as previous works by this author, but still good.
—toddlack
