While I wasn't blown away by the first two in this trilogy, I loved Always a Scoundrel. Our hero, Bram, has a really dark past and some really bad 'friends.' When one of those really bad friends sets his sights on Rosamund, Bram is stumped as to why he feels the need to protect her. After all, he has been living a life of nothing but sin. But there is something about Rosamund that draws him. Bram is very different than a lot of heroes I've read in that he truly has some demons to deal with. He has been intentionally living a life of debauchery, most simply because he doesn't care enough to see any reason not to. Rosamund is living a simple life, taking care of the whims of her family. She knows her duty, and is going to marry in order to forgive her brother's debt; therefore, she will keep her family from becoming destitute. It's not until she gets to know her new betrothed that she realizes what a terrible person he is and the shocking tastes he has. She is horrified, but also stuck. Then Bram learns of the betrothal and becomes curious as to why his 'friend' wishes to marry. After all, their life is one that doesn't include the trappings of a wife and family. And then they meet...sigh. Their relationship become one full of emotion that neither of them are ready for.One of my favorite lines, in which Bram finally admits to himself, and one of the other "notorious gentlemen," Sullivan, that there is more to his interest in Rosamund than curiosity..."I'm not going to sit and pour out my heart to you, because we both know I haven't got one.""Mm hm. Just how much do you like this Lady Rosamund Davies?"Bram froze for a heartbeat. He thought he'd been fairly clever about it, but Sullivan knew him better than most. Placing both hands flat on the table, he bowed his head for a brief moment. "She consumes me," he muttered..."
