The Peer's Roguish Word
Series: The Dukes' Pact #5
Author: Kate Archer
Published June 8th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
A Clever lady and a Cavalier Lord.

Kitty Dell is an intellectual and has made certain scientific discoveries she takes a great amount of pride in. For now, though, she must put her books aside, as she is on her way to London for her launch season. She is doubtful that she will meet a gentleman who will appreciate her mind, but secretly hopeful of it. She has at least the benefit of being introduced to various members of the esteemed Royal Society, and one particular gentleman-member does seem to hold a high regard for her intellect.

If Giles Dermot, Marquess of Grayson, had ever heard of the Royal Society, he just as quickly forgot it. He hasn’t forgotten Miss Dell, however. He met the lady at Newmarket and was instantly charmed. He realizes she considers herself bookish, but certainly she will throw over her learned pursuits when the balls and parties commence. As for himself, though he has never aspired to dry scholarship, he does not think a life well-lived without poetry and Shakespeare. In society, he is regarded as the dandiest of the dandies, an unrepentant bachelor, and a shameless flirt. Mamas are well-advised to steer their daughters elsewhere.

As Kitty navigates the unfamiliar waters of the season, the Royal Society is threatened with a ruinous mystery. Somebody is set on destroying it and everybody is searching for clues. Including Lord Grayson, as how else is he to win Miss Dell’s scholarly heart?

Never were two people less suited. Unless one considers that the gentleman might learn to spend less time on his neckcloth and the lady might learn to spend less time buried in a book.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After meeting in Newmarket at the races, Giles Dermot, Marquess of Grayson, has been in love with Miss Kitty Dell. But, she doesn't want anything to do with him. Grayson is one of the heirs in the Duke's pact, and a dandy and a rake. He doesn't care about books or scholarship - apart from Shakespeare - and hadn't even heard of the Royal Society, whereas Kitty is his exact opposite. Unlike other women, who've always fallen at his feet, Grayson has to work hard to convince her he is a good match, when she only want to discover the truth about the Veritas mystery plaguing the Royal Society. And when a more suitable suitor, Sir John Kullehamnd, steps into scene, Kitty might just be lost to Grayson. Will he be able to convince her he's the one, or will Sir John win Kitty?

I've really enjoyed all of the books in this series, but I will admit this has been my least favourite so far. I just found the hero, Grayson, to be too faffy and not suited to Kitty at all. There wasn't really that much chemistry there between the two of them, and though they grew on me before the ending, I wasn't hooked, or invested in their romance like I have been with the previous couples. The mystery that the Royal Society were focused on was fun, but very obvious who the culprit was. I never liked him from the get go, and was glad to see him get his comeuppance. The final chapters really made the book, and I was pleased to see the couple get together, as they deserved to be happy once they grew a little more. I am looking forward to the final book, but I hate Dalton the most, so don't know if I'll like seeing him as a hero - but there was a little glimpse at his heroine in this book, so we never know.

Dates Read:
July 16-17, 2021

Rating
4 Stars