Review: Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal by Grace Burrowes

Maggie Windham, oldest of the Windham sisters and a by-blow from His Grace’s pre-marital wild oats, finds herself in desperate needs of an investigator to help her retrieve a missing reticule. Benjamin Hazlit knows the Windham family secrets, and can be trusted to keep them to himself, so Maggie turns to Benjamin, though it means ignoring his too-broad shoulders, his too-knowing smile… and his too-skilled kisses.

As Benjamin starts the search for Maggie’s missing purse, he realizes two things: First, whatever was in that purse, its loss has Maggie not just rattled, but terrified. Second, Benjamin will go to any lengths to see Maggie’s peace of mind restored, even if it means he must keep himself in very close proximity to the shy, secretive lady who says she wants nothing to do with him.

Review:

Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal is book 5 in the Windham series and book 2 in the sub-series The Duke’s Daughters. I have read and enjoyed each of the books that have come before this one, I’m pretty dedicated to the Windham family ;)

Maggie Windham is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Moreland, and who is also an illegitimate child from before his marriage to his duchess. Maggie was officially adopted by the duke and duchess at the age of 6 and was raised with the rest of the Windham family she is still haunted by her past and biological mother, who is a courtesan and who sold her to the duke and duchess. At 30 years old, she lives on her own and leads a quiet life by choice. She has a quiet intelligence and has set up her own wealth along with helping her brother with finances as well.  She’s not a huge fan of Benjamin Hazlit as she knows that he is an investigator and has a history with her family. But when her reticule is missing with something of great importance to Maggie, Benjamin is the only one she can turn to.

Benjamin Hazlit is a man who is very good at living in the shadows and acquiring information on matters concerning many of the elite family. He is competent, trustworthy, very observant, and is keeping many secrets, including his own.  When Lady Maggie seeks him out for his help, his world turns upside down, and he’s never been more determined then to help Maggie with more than she’s willing to let on she needs help with.

I really liked Maggie and Benjamin’s story. Maggie is so determined to take care of her problems on her own, thinking she’s protecting the ones she loves. I love how even more determined Benjamin is and the more he spends time with Maggie to discuss the investigation, the more and more it leads to other motivations with the growing affection for each other. Benjamin handles the reveal of Maggie’s secrets well and his willingness to help her with all that he is. With the slow revile of Maggie’s secret and the process of Maggie and Benjamin’s relationship, it kept me hooked, needing to find out how it all works out and rooting that Benjamin can break through Maggie’s walls.

One thing that I really enjoy about Grace Burrowes books is how involved the other characters/family members are. I love the Windham family and how mischievous the duke is and his plotting in his children’s lives (although he was more-so in his sons’ lives then his daughters so far).  I really enjoy Grace Burrowes righting and her ability to display the depths of and how genuine the characters’ emotions are.