Mistress of Pleasure (School of Gallantry #1) by Delilah Marvelle

And here is where the School of Gallantry saga begins with a grand entrance with Delilah Marvelle's expertise.

Well known courtesan, Madame de Maitenon's beloved granddaughter, Maybelle would like no part of her grandmother's latest venture of a school for gentleman who wish to learn the art of pleasuring their women. Maybelle wants to travel to Egypt, which has endlessly held her fascination, but leaving her grandmother to her own devices may not be possible. 

Maybelle assures Madame de Maitenon that she has no interest in marriage and wishes to remain free, but when Maybelle spies Edmund Worthington, the Duke of Rutherford across the ballroom floor, her interest is piqued. When Maybelle follows the gentleman out to the garden she has no idea what she's in for other than a tryst. 

Edmund Worthington has been trying to repair the poor reputation his family suffered with the antics of his now deceased father. Edmund strives to perfection, but the very forward Maybelle de Maitenon is the epitome of  temptation that Edmund cannot resist. With her ruination complete and public humiliation evident, Maybelle's exit is thwarted by her grandmother's collapse at the ball and the only person willing to aid is Edmund. Now his mother insists on him taking Maybelle to wife and even though it's absurd to him as she not in his class, he accepts what must be done and proposes... um, well not really well and Maybelle refuses. 

With every passing hour Maybelle seems to be getting under Edmund's very skin and now he is determined to marry her. He enrolls and is accepted in the School for Gallantry, which Maybelle has taken over teaching while her grandmother recovers for her apoplexy, and the hunt is on to make the woman who would rather run from a respectable marriage than be a duchess. 

MISTRESS OF PLEASURE by the indomitable Delilah Marvelle is perfection wrapped up in this passionate tale. Edmund Worthington's seemingly over-arrogant persona is quickly quashed when he meets his match with the hard-headed but desirable Maybelle. The attraction between them is so passionate, it threatens to ignite. Ms. Marvelle's secondary characters are so interesting and add so much to this tale. Delilah Marvelle is never afraid to shock one's sensibilities and push the reader to the very edge. I adore this about her. Her writing is brilliant and Ms. Marvelle has an insight that few authors have. If you have never picked up a novel by Delilah Marvelle before, this is a great place to start.

~KIMBERLY~