Lady Elizabeth prefers reading books, caring for her oftentimes gruff grandfather and residing in the country to town living. At twenty-five, she has never married, and never intends to. Yet, her grandfather is getting weaker, and does not want her to end up alone. He decides she is to have a season, though she doesn't want to leave him. She agrees, on the condition that it is just the one season and she need not marry if she doesn't find anyone to suit her tastes. In reality, Elizabeth intends to ensure that no one offers for her. Once in London, she adopts a stutter and keeps it, until the only suitors left are the fortune hunters. Then, onto the scene comes Christian Llevanth, the Viscount Westerville. Whispered to be an ex-highwayman among other things, he intrigues her. Indeed, he is the only man to have piqued her interest. Yet she senses that he is not interested in her only for herself, for his questioning and interest in her grandfather go beyond that of a potential suitor. What, then, is he after? Will either be able to resist the attraction between them?

Christian has been on his own since the age of ten. He lived on the streets, and had to fight to survive. The illegitimate son of an earl, he only came into his fortune and title when his father acknowledged him and forged documents on his deathbed so that the title would stay in his bloodline. Christian intends to use his new position to find out who was responsible for the false accusations brought against his mother, which saw her die of the ague in gaol. His inquiries have led him to Massinggale House, but he needs to gain access to the house to search for incriminating evidence. He decides to use Elizabeth to gain entry, but hadn't counted on the attraction between them, or her astuteness. Will Christian find what he is looking for? Will Elizabeth aid him? Are they in danger themselves?

Her Officer And Gentleman, Karen Hawkins' latest, is a engaging tale of mystery and attraction. Elizabeth is a caring woman, with a discerning eye and a knack of summing up a person's character on sight. Christian is a man who has led a hard life, who enjoyed the thrill of a highwayman's lifestyle and who is determined to ferret out the person responsible for his beloved, gentle mother's terrible death. These characters have been very well developed, to the point that they are tangible in the readers mind. Secondary characters are also superb. I particularly like the butler, Reeves. There are intimate encounters, and they are described in a way that suits the historical setting of the story. Evidently, there is a connected tale, Her Master And Commander, and I'm off to go find it. Her Officer And Gentleman has hooked me on Karen Hawkins, who writes with great style and panache.

Reviewed by: Elizabeth