His Countess for a Week (Harlequin Historical)
When Randolph returns from Australia to take up his new inheritance as Earl of Westray, his change in status requires a big adjustment. It gets even bigger when he learns that a woman calling herself his countess is in residence at one of his estates. When he discovers that this complete stranger is not only young and very pretty, but a widow determined to find whoever killed her husband, he decides to help Arabella Roffey rather than expose her, and his honorable conduct overcomes her initial mistrust. Friendship develops into love, but challenges lie in the way of a happy ending.
There are mysteries to be solved: who killed Arabella’s husband? Why was Randolph deported to Australia? There are lessons to be learned, reputations to be saved, blackmailers to be foiled, and kidnapped victims to be rescued. The plot does become rather melodramatic, particularly the figure of the dastardly villain who has designs upon the lovely widow for more than her fortune.
This will appeal mainly to those who enjoy stories of naïve heroines who learn uncomfortable truths, noble-hearted heroes ready to assist a damsel in distress, and sinister gothic overtones.