About the Book:

An accomplished beauty…

But a most unsuitable match!

Natalya Fairchild can’t help but be drawn to Tristan Quintrell, Lord Dalmorren, with his effortless charisma, even if he’s not her intended bridegroom. Tristan is an eligible society catch…whereas Natalya’s unknown heritage could label her ruined! As he helps Natalya investigate her mysterious past, she starts to hope the truth of her conception won’t destroy her prospects…of a life with Tristan!

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                                              The Mysterious Miss Fairchild (Harlequin Historical)

My Review:

Tristan Quintrell, Baron Dalmorren, is the guardian of his nephew, Freddie, though he is only eight years older. The men are more like friends, so when Freddie, who is twenty, declares that he’s in love and has found the woman he’ll marry, Tristan decides he will have to check her out.  He travels to Bath, where Miss Fairchild is residing, under the guardianship of her honorary Aunt and Uncle Pridham.

Natalya Fairchild is in the unpleasant position of knowing nothing about her heritage.  As a very young child, she was in foster care, then she was sent to an exclusive finishing school where she learned the accomplishments required of a lady.  At seventeen, she was sent to the Pridhams, who spared no expense in dressing her and continuing her education.  In fact, Natalya is anxiously looking forward to her upcoming twenty first birthday, because she has been promised to finally learn the truth of her birth.  The school she attended had many students who were the illegitimate children of wealthy lords, and Natalya feels that she may be another one.  In the meanwhile, her guardians keep a very close watch on her, encouraging her accomplishments and social skills, but strictly discouraging any relationships with men, other than a casual dance.

As Tristan becomes better acquainted with Natalya, at least as much as her prickly guardians will allow, he comes to admire her, admitting that she would indeed make a suitable wife for his nephew.  The problem is that he’s beginning to become a little too fond of her.  While Natalya admits that Freddie is a friend, she coyly keeps Tristan guessing about her intentions in regard to marrying him.

As time passes, Natalya finds more reasons to believe that she is illegitimate.  When Tristan decides to follow his heart and genuinely court Natalya, she feels that she may not be a suitable wife, and has no desire to bring him shame, though she returns his feelings.  Author Sarah Mallory does a splendid job of keeping the reader guessing about Natalya’s origins, as the mystery isn’t revealed until the very end.  THE MYSTERIOUS MISS FAIRCHILD is an enjoyable and warm romance with a surprising twist, likeable lead characters, and a guaranteed happy ever after.    ~Rose