Mistress’ House

From One
The Earl Buys a House

The Earl of Hawthorne looked wistfully past his man of business. At the far end of the library, a pair of long windows stood open to a glorious autumn day, and in the distance he could hear the bark of a hunting dog. It was a perfect day to take a gun and a dog and go for a long tramp across the parkland and into the woods of his Surrey estate. But here he was instead, sitting at his desk and listening to Perkins prose on for hours about the benefits of investing in a canal somewhere at the far end of England.

Except, now that Thorne actually pulled his attention back to the library, Perkins appeared to have finished with the canal and moved on to the benefits of buying a house in London.

“Perkins,” Thorne said gently. “I already have a house in London. A big house—right on Portman Square. You can’t have overlooked that.”

“No, my lord.”

“Surely you’re not suggesting I sell the house I already have and buy a different one?”

“No, my lord.”

“And surely you’re not suggesting that I need more space in London.”

“No, my lord.” With each repetition, Perkins’ voice grew more wooden.

“Then you’re suggesting I buy another house and lease it out?”

“Not exactly, my lord.”

“But if I’m neither going to live in it nor rent it, what on earth would I do with another house in...” Thorne paused. “Perkins, exactly where is this house?”

“At Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, my lord. It’s...”

“I know where it is. Right around the corner from Portman Square.”

“The garden of Number 5 backs on your own, my lord. It is not a large house—only six bedrooms, four main reception rooms, and all the usual arrangements for servants. But the location and the situation are quite salubrious. Unlike the other houses in the row, Number 5 has windows all along one side, as well as in front and back, because it lies next to Berkeley Mews.”

“With horses coming and going all day,” Thorne observed. “Not every tenant would like that.”

“Since they are mostly your own horses, my lord,” Perkins observed, “I felt it likely this would not disturb you. The location alongside the mews, plus the large number of windows and the consequently high window tax, does mean that the house isn’t in quite as much demand as it might otherwise be, and that has kept the price reasonable. And it is a very convenient situation, should my lord wish to come and go without being observed.”

Thorne leaned back in his chair, tapping his index finger against his jaw. “You make me sound like some kind of spy, Perkins,” he said dryly. “Surely you’re not laboring under the delusion that I’m part of an espionage ring.”

Perkins coughed. “Certainly not, my lord.”

Perkins’ tone, Thorne thought wryly, was unnecessarily acerbic. It wasn’t, after all, that Thorne didn’t have the right talents to be a spy. He’d just never been called upon to use them in that particular way.

“I merely meant,” Perkins went on, “that your lordship is a figure of interest in London society, and therefore your... actions... are noticed and often remarked on.”

“Actions? Why, Perkins, you old dog. You’re actually volunteering to help me to keep my affaires under wraps? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were blushing.”

Perkins shuffled his feet and looked down at the carpet.

He hadn’t been mistaken; Perkins was blushing. Thorne had never seen anything of the sort before. He considered the idea. There was certainly merit to the notion of buying a house just off Portman Square. If he could tuck a mistress into a trysting place just a step from his own garden, he could avoid a long list of inconveniences. Kicking his heels for hours while messages were delivered and answers returned... Riding halfway across London for an assignation... Finding new, safe, and very secluded meeting places... Wandering around the halls of a country house trying to locate a particular lady’s bedchamber... Keeping his horses, and the grooms who cared for them, waiting outside a private house on a cold day...

“Very well,” he said and stood up. “Buy the house. I’ll look it over when I come up to town for the Season.”

“Yes, my lord. I shall put the transaction in motion immediately.”

“I have the utmost faith in your judgment, Perkins.” Thorne clapped his man of business on the shoulder and escaped to the gun room before Perkins could wax poetic about his canal once more.

Of course, there was one drawback to the scheme, Thorne thought as he started off across the lawn, a shotgun on his shoulder and his favorite hound rollicking at his heels. Once a mistress was actually in residence in a house right around the corner from his own, he might find it a bit of a tangle to move her out again when he tired of her. But he could deal with that when the problem arose.

Or, he thought with a twinge of humor, Perkins could.

"5 Upper Seymour Street, the place where dreams come true"

The Earl of Hawthorne has been prodded to purchase a house right around the corner from his mansion, 5 Upper Seymour Street. It can become a secure place for discreet affairs. The Earl has the reputation of being the best rube in town. He has bedded just about every woman that he can. He encounters Lady Keighley, who has just lost her husband. In conversations with her, he finds that she has desires to be a mistress and no man’s wife. Anne, Lady Hawthorne, has a great friend who needs a place to stay, so she has set her up to live at 5 Upper Seymour Street. Fliss, her friend, wants to be a single woman who can manage her inherited mill, after being rejected by the family of the man that she loved because she had no nobility. Georgiana comes charging into Earl Hawthorne’s life as a ward he was not aware of. She wishes to become a mistress so that she can acquire jewels, furs and travel.

This book is written well and is very fun to read. These ladies are probably not the norm for ladies of the Victorian age. There are some very serious women who know what they want and go after it, no matter what it takes. These were some fun characters with a lot of life.



This is a wonderful book of what love at first sight can bring about. Three stories interwoven as one large one doesn’t deter from how deliciously vivid each interaction is.

The story starts out with Lady Anne Keighley who just wants to have lessons on how to be a mistress. After having been married to an old man with one foot in the grave for a number of years she is in no way ready, willing or wanting of marriage again anytime soon. Little does she know she is about to get more than she bargained for.

The next candidate for the Mistress House is Felicity Mercer who decides she just wants to have a child no matter what. Her best childhood friend Lady Anne invites her to stay at the hotter than hot love trap in Mistress House and it doesn’t take long for Felicity to find that she will get her wish plus some.

Our last candidate is a very young and lively Georgiana Baster who is the ward of the Earl of Hawthorne who just happens to put her up at the Mistress House to protect her virtue. Haha, yah right! Georgiana trying her best to escape an arranged marriage throws her into the arms of a returning soldier who is friends with the Earl. The code of honor is pushed to the limits and both our innocent characters are drawn into something that will surprise them mightily at the end. This is just too cute.

I loved the book and the stories of the three lovely ladies but I just feel the interchange between one set of characters and the next could have been a wee bit smoother. This however doesn’t deter from the book and you will still enjoy it with a delicious appetite.



Leigh Michaels is an author with over 80 books to her credit. Her latest novel, The Mistress’ House is her first historical romance and readers will be captivated by her sophisticated style and immense knowledge of Regency, England. The Mistress’ House weaves three intertwined love stories together to create a novel that will leave readers wanting more. Full of love, scandal and mystery, This Mistress’ House is an engaging story with an interesting plot.

Three women, three love stories, one house. When the Earl of Hawthorne decides to buy a quaint house adjoining the back garden to his London townhouse, he can’t imagine how it will change his life. He intends to use the house as a place to install his mistress’. When Lady Anne Keighley moves in, he is quickly smitten and falls madly in love. When Anne decides to loan the house to her childhood friend, a quiet young woman from the country, she has no idea that once again the Mistress’ House will be a place of love when Felicity meets the Earl’s cousin. Georgiana is the Earl’s ward, he moves her into the Mistress’ House when she is trying to escape an arranged marriage. When she meets a soldier and friend of Earl, Julian, love along with a healthy dose of scandal again blooms in the garden of the Mistress’ House.

This was a very interesting concept for a book. Basically, the reader gets three loves stories woven together in one novel. The book is not divided or separated by each story, they all intertwine and it makes for a very interesting read. The author has a knack for blending the background and back story’s of the characters in a way that makes the book feel natural and believable.

Micheal’s knowledge of the Regency period is obvious, her research impeccable. It is apparent from the writing of the book that the author was very conscientious about getting the small details right. I have read a lot of books set in this period and occasionally become a little disheartened by author’s who don’t think the reader will notice a little slip here and there. Michael’s did an excellent job making sure she had her i’s dotted and her t’s crossed, so to speak.

The characters were developed quickly as the pace of the novel was fast and made it necessary for the stories of all three couples to be laid down quickly. The Earl of Hawthorne’s character was very well done and I felt like I knew a lot about him in the end. If I have one fault with the book, it was that I wanted to know more about the other characters. I liked what I found out about them, but I wanted a little more. Why would a beautiful widow, like Anne want to proposition the Earl? Why did Felicity decide to leave the country, where she was happy and content? Why did Georgiana not want to marry the man her Uncle chose for her? These questions were talked about in the book, but I still felt like there was so much more to know about them.

The is a novel that is driven by a theme, love. This theme overshadows the whole book and is the driving force of the plot. Romance readers generally read romance to escape and find the happy-ever-after ending, in this book, they get three great love stories, with three great endings. I am looking forward to seeing if the author keeps up this three in one idea with her next novel. I liked the concept and believe other historical romance readers will as well. It was different and refreshing for the genre and I think it has a lot of potential.



This is my first time reading Leigh Michaels, and I have to say this is such a delightful story that I know I’m more than likely going to be glomming her backlist when I can. I enjoyed everything about this book, the characters, the storyline, and, of course, the writing. What makes it the most fun is how Ms. Michaels has woven three heroes and heroines together into one book, giving them their own story while threading it around and through one charming inanimate object - a house that turns mistresses into something much more than they ever thought they’d be.


First up is Anne, Lady Wilde. She’s a widow with an unsatisfying marriage behind her and doesn’t want to go through it all again. Therefore, she seeks out the Earl of Hawthorne, the scandalous rake of London, asking him to ruin her so she can retain her freedom and do as she pleases. At first Hawthorne refuses her request, but he can’t get the woman out of his head and has second thoughts. Deciding to put his recent acquisition of Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, which adjoins his own home, to good use, he very thoroughly ruins Anne there for any other man.

Becoming Hawthorne’s mistress is not what Anne has in mind when she begins this plan of hers, but suddenly if that’s the only way she can have him, she’s perfectly happy to be at his beck and call as Mrs. Wilde, the name and cover story Hawthorne gives her for their assignations. I like the notes and/or verbal messages he gives her for each of their meetings; fun and suggestive and so very vague that no one would guess the players if the missives fell into the wrong hands or were overheard.

Next we meet Felicity, Lady Desire. She’s Anne’s best friend and has come to visit her in London to leave some sad and unsettling memories behind. That doesn’t happen, however, when she meets Lord Colford, a cousin of Hawthorne’s and brother to the man who broke her heart. As a last-minute decision, Felicity reveals her identity and demands satisfaction from Richard for his brother’s behavior - she wants a child and believes Richard will do just fine since she can’t have his deceased brother. Anne has given her access to Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, what better place for this spot of business.

Not sure why he takes the lady up on her offer, Richard doesn’t just have sex with Felicity, he makes love to her and they’re both deeply affected by the emotion that goes through them during and after. So much so Richard suggests they meet several more times to make sure all goes as planned and Felicity certainly agrees, both wanting to be in the other’s arms once again. They have a beautiful but short affair before Felicity begins to think of the future and how having no father nor his name will affect her child. But calling it all off doesn’t sit well with Richard, he won’t allow her to walk out of his life after what they’ve shared and what he’s learned about his brother’s actions.

Finally there’s Georgianna, Lady Flame. She’s young and a whirlwind who flies into Hawthorne’s life, exclaiming she’s his ward and he has to help her with her current dilemma - escaping the arranged marriage her uncle has decided is best for her. Promising to talk to the man, Hawthorne ensconces Georgie in Number 5 Upper Seymour Street, and she makes use of the earl’s gardens late night after the servants are abed.

There she meets Julian, a soldier and another cousin of Hawthorne’s. He’s been summoned home by their grandfather to take over the family duty after the current heir has died. Not wanting to bow down to the old man’s ultimatums, Julian is staying with Hawthorne until he can figure out what to do. Teaching an innocent how to become a mistress is not what he had in mind, but there’s something about the minx in the garden that draws possessiveness out in Julian. Better he teach her than some other man not worthy of her.

Each of these stories is filled with fun, witty banter, heartache and emotion, a little mystery, romance, and twists that you don’t see coming. These heroes don’t see themselves as men giving in to marriage; the heroines never see themselves as anything but mistresses. I enjoyed Richard and Felicity the most, there’s more emotion involved in their story, but all three are well worth the read. Ms. Michaels does a wonderful job of seamlessly connecting the characters and the storylines.

A unique way of presenting all of these elements, and it works beautifully.

Grade: B+



One novel; three love stories, makes for one intriguing display of romance, adventure, and everything else associated with the regency ton.

Bestselling romance author; Leigh Michaels, has brought the world a new regency romance with three captivating stories all rolled into one complete package. The regency ton has never met three ladies so fiesty as to willingly be mistresses, until now that is. With her unique wit and charm, Leigh Michaels has never told a story, or three, so captivating, so entertaining as those in The Mistress’ House.

Passionate Historical Romance
The Mistress’ House certainly has a few twists on your average historical romance novel. Like many that came before it, this little book of fiction is full of arrogant, yet gentlemanly, men and beautiful, yet spunky, women. The three main women of this novel, all have one thing in common; they want to be mistresses. Now that is something quite peculiar for that day and age, and makes for a whopping book of entertainment, to be sure.

For different reasons, three women find themselves at a specific house, dubbed The Mistress’ House, and each of them seem to feel that learning the trade of a mistress will solve all their problems. Naturally, all the more problems and repercussions ensue and the women find themselves dodging more than they bargained for. With secrets galore, and willing men who unsuspectingly walk into many a trap, the three stories of this novel are well worth the read.

Besides the points I have already mentioned, The Mistress’ House is wonderful for women on the go, simply because it’s three books in one and you can take a pause between them, if you absolutely have to. A crucial point for this novel is that three tales intertwine and weave themselves together, flowing effortlessly one to the other, without seeming like an anthology of short stories.

It doesn’t miss a beat before connecting the love tales together and that is important when considering what makes this novel so great. The dialogue is always highly diverting between these spunky women and the lone wolves that they ensnare, and the passionate heat between them is turned up to an incredibly hot level. Another thing worth mentioning is the tenderness in these three alpha-males that captivate these high-spirited women.

The male characters think themselves unmatchable loners, ungentlemanly and arrogant, yet they each have an endearing tenderness that captivates these equally unmatchable women. There are surprising scenes, touching moments and heart-quickening events that make this novel one that will stand out from the author’s previous works and become a book you will want to share with everyone you know.



I enjoy reading regency romance. It has held a special place in my heart for years...a nd stories like this are the reason :)

With characters that lept off the pages, plots that sucked me in, and romance that made my heart do a little flip...it was a total winner. Deliciously decadent from start to finish. Emotional and frought with heart tugging scenes. Characters so real that I was sorry to see the stories end. My only saving grace was that I will be able to visit them again as often as I want...and rest assured that will be quite often.

Each story is different enough from the others but with enough of a common thread that this trio was all pulled together in a wonderful way that just flowed like a work of art :) You really should check it out. It rocked :)

I have to say that I really enjoyed reading The Mistress’ House, it was a lovely little romance novel that featured three different stories, each combining to make an interesting read. First we are introduced to Lady Anne Keighly who is desperate to be ruined, and she knows the perfect rogue for the job. It seems that luck is on her side when after a bit of convincing the Earl of Hawthorn agrees. To make matters more interesting Hawthorn has just purchased the perfect house in which to hold a rendezvous, Number Five Upper Seymour Street, although he never imagine that this mistress would win his heart.

Next to visit the house is Felicity Mercer, a dear friend of Anne’s, after an unexpected visit with the brother of her former lover, she proposes a plan that Richard cannot refuse. Felicity soon begins to develop feelings for Richard, even though she believes him to be married, but one must remember that appearance are not quite what they seem.

Last but not least is the whirlwind, Georgiana Baxter, who has come for Hawthorns aid. She is determined not to windup trapped in an arranged marriage, so she finds her escape in Number Five Upper Seymour Street, never imagining that she would also find the man who will take her breath away. Although once again we are reminded that appearance are not quite what they seem.

My thoughts:
Although there are three stories combined in the book, they are not novellas; together they create this charming romance. Each story is filled with romance, as well as a few twists and turns, making it a fun and enjoyable read. A perfect book for those of you who want to do a bit of light reading. One of my top picks that I have read this year.



The Mistress’ House is a regency romance novel that centers on the passion inspired by one house, the mistress’ house. Instead of focusing on one love story, The Mistress’ House centers on three different couples that are brought together by the one house. The Mistress’ House is a “hot” romance with plenty of scandalous happenings at the mistress’ house. It’s a good way to warm up a cold and snowy winter night!

The Earl of Hawthorne, Thorne, is convinced to buy a house that neighbors his garden by his man of business, Perkins. Perkins notes that the Earl would be able to keep down the gossip about his adventures by installing his latest mistress at Number Five Upper Seymour Street. Thorne agrees to the plan and before he knows it, a mysterious widow, Lady Anne Keighley, is asking him to “ruin” her so that she can lead a life of independence and not be forced to remarry by her brother.

Thorne’s cousin Richard, Lord Colfax, has met a beautiful lady who is staying at Number Five Upper Seymour Street. Anne’s friend, Felicity is beautiful and longs for the man who could not marry her due to familial obligations, Roger. Roger has passed away, but his brother Richard is a handsome man and just might make Felicity able to forget her past love.

Thorne’s ward, Goergiana Baxter, is trying to hide from her uncle and a forced marriage by staying at Number Five Upper Seymour Street. One evening she meets Thorne’s cousin Julian Silsby in the garden. Julian has just returned from fighting Napolean and is also trying to escape an arranged marriage. Sparks fly between the two, especially after Georginia ask Julian to teach her how to be a mistress.

The Mistress’ House is not high literature, but it is a good, fun romance novel to read. I sometimes just want something light and entertaining to read that I don’t have to think too much about, and this book fit the bill. I liked that it was three romance stories in one novel.

Overall, The Mistress’ House is a unique regency romance novel that is full of hot romance, great characters, and fun stories.



At first, I didn’t realize that this book was actually three interconnected short stories instead of one long story. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the author wove the stories together.

I loved the first story about Thorne and Anne. Their affair was fun and tender at the same time. The scenes where they were keeping their affair a secret were really cute to read about. I loved Thorne’s lazy confidence and how he really cared about Anne’s feelings. I loved Thorne so much in the first story that sometimes I didn’t like the way his character and their romance played out in the later two stories.

The second story, about Richard and Felicity was definitely a cute tale. I really liked that Felicity had been in love with Richard’s brother. It created jealousy as well a complex feelings toward each other.

The last story, Julian and Georgette’s romance, fell a little short for me. I appreciated the unexpected twist, but I just didn’t think they had as much spark as the other couples.



Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This is a great collection of romances to read when you’re in the mood for some fun regency era short stories!

When the Earl of Hawthorne buys a second London townhouse whose garden connects with his own, he has no idea his purchase will become a trysting place. In a trio of connected tales in Leigh Michaels’s delicious The Mistress’ House, three noble cousins find their matches in their mistresses.

First is the Earl of Hawthorne himself. Thorne meets the widowed Anne, who wants the not-as-rakish-as-he-appears earl to ruin her so she won’t have to marry again. Second is Richard, the Earl of Colford, whom mill-owner’s daughter Felicty shocks when she demands he stand in for his older brother, the previous earl, who betrayed her. And lastly, virginal miss Georgiana and returning soldier Julian, both fleeing arranged marriages, find each other.

I liked Richard’s and Felicity’s tale the best. This touching story of the wronged cit’s daughter and the former spare, who must yet again clean up one of his brother’s messes, catches at our heartstrings as their devil’s bargain blossoms into love. A tale to remember and savor.

With deft storytelling, abundant humor (laugh at the hilarious asides from Julian’s body, which pants "Yes, yes, yes!" when the vivacious Georgiana asks Julian to seduce her, even as his mind shouts "No, no, no!"), and tenderness in all the right places, The Mistress’ House will remain with you for a long time to come.



THE MISTRESS’ HOUSE by Leigh Michaels is a delightful historical romance set in Regency England. It is well written with depth, details, twists, turns and is fast paced. It has romance, sensuality, love, witty dialog, mystery, secrets, and did I mention love stories. This is a story with three intertwined love stories. First, we have the sexy, handsome rakish Earl of Hawthorne, Thorne, who just happens to buy a charming little house across the garden from his town. He sets this up to be “The Mistress House.” Enter Lady Anne Keighley who is widowed, sexy, beautiful and need a lover, so she propositions Thorne and love blooms. Next, Felicity, who is a delectable country girl, and childhood friend of Lady Anne, has come to visit her dear friend in London. But she also has a plan; she wants to have a child by Lord Colford. Lord Colford’s brother, Roger, claimed to love Felicity, but was unable to marry her after he deflowered her. Then Roger died, so Felicity decides to have a child by his brother, Richard, who she believes is married… but secrets will be revealed and love blooms. During Felicity’s, visit she will stay at “The Mistress House.” Last, but not least enter Thorne’s ward, Georgiana, who is eighteen, beautiful, feisty, trying to escape an arranged marriage by her uncle. So she goes to Thorne, who sets her up in “The Mistress House.” Enter, Thorne’s cousin, Major Julian Hampton, who is just home from the war. A new Lord, he is sexy, handsome and his grandfather has arranged a marriage for him. When he first meets Georgiana, she asks him to show her how to be a “mistress.” What a challenge this will be, but Julian is the man for the job. As secrets are revealed, love will once again bloom. Apparently, “The Mistress House” is more than just a house for anyone who enters it seems to find love and happiness. This is a wonderful, enchanting story of love, magic of love, and happiness. It is a fast paced story with a few twists and turns. It will leave you longing for more. I would highly recommend this story especially if you enjoy fast paced, love inspired, sensuality, the magic of love, finding your true love. This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca.
RATING: 5


The Earl of Hawthorne, Thorne, is a notorious rake. So when the house across his back garden comes on the market, he buys it. It will be perfect to stow a mistress and with his own backyard hugging it, no one will know of his comings and goings.

Lady Anne Keighley is a young and beautiful widow, who was left with a large inheritance that is bringing out all of the fortune hunters. Anne has no desire to marry again, so she beseeches Thorne to ruin her so she can be alone and have control of her own money.

What she didn’t count on, nor him, was falling in love with one another. So, Anne moves in with Thorne, and with the house empty, Anne offers it to her childhood friend, Felicity.

Felicity is determined to have a child with Lord Colford, whose brother had ruined her and then passed away. Even though she believes Richard is married, she has set her cap on him to give her a child. But passion sizzles and love blooms, marriage or no marriage.

Thorne’s eighteen year old ward, Georgiana, is trying to escape an arranged marriage. Thorne puts her at the Mistress House. With the arrival of Thorne’s cousin, Lord Julian Silsby, who is also trying to escape an arranged marriage, things heat up. Especially when Georgiana approaches him about schooling her in how to become a mistress.

The Mistress House is a delightful regency romance, with the Mistress House the common denominator for all three connected romances. Leigh’s characters are vibrant, fresh, and fiesty, with her Lords handsome and brimming with sexuality. The love scenes are sizzling hot!! Your dance card will be full with these sensual stories, but you will be extremely satisfied. A highly recommended romantic read!



The Mistress House is a truly delightful, romantic, historical read!

Actually, it’s three stories that intertwine together, that all mesh perfectly, with in-depth relationships between the characters. Each story could stand alone, but at the same time, relates completely with each other. This is not an anthology, and in my opinion, that makes it much better because the same characters come into play throughout the book.

One of the best historical romances I’ve read in a long while, I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed Ms. Michaels writing style and I look forward to her next book. This one’s a gem you’ll want to keep and read again and again!

Format: Paperback

Dimensions
Length: 6.875 in
Width: 4.1875 in
Weight: 5.52 oz
Page Count: 320 pages