I’ve always read that Regency England was one of most immoral times in Britain’s history, but Margaret Moore’s portrayal of Restoration London wins hands down in the ‘no morals’ category. A Scoundrel’s Kiss is jammed packed with indiscreet liasions, lewd behavior and morally bankrupt characters – including the hero.

Arabella Martin is the daughter of a duke who renounced his title during Cromwell’s reign. Years ago, she met and fell in love with Neville Farrington. When she becomes the ward of Neville’s father, she agrees to travel to London to find a husband – and to see Neville again. Only the Neville she finds in London is a far cry from the boy who stole her heart.

Neville Farrington gives the appearance of a debauched rake. In fact, he comes across as a spoiled brat. When his harsh father announces that he will be leaving the bulk of his estate to Arabella and whoever she chooses to marry, Neville assumes the beautiful young woman has woven a spell around the old man. He makes a bet with his friends that he can seduce Arabella within a fortnight, thereby proving that she’s not the innocent she appears to be.

Arabella causes a stir at court. It soon becomes apparent to everyone but herself that King Charles wants her as his newest mistress. She only has eyes for Neville, who is quickly losing favor with his friends because of the bet he made. Despite Neville’s rakish intentions, he soon finds himself enamoured of Arabella and sets out to woo her.

A Scoundrel’s Kiss got off to a great start, even though I found Neville to be more spoiled brat than charming rogue. Arabella was a vibrant character, a country miss in the big, bad city. What I didn’t understand was what she saw in Neville. Her girlhood crush on him was understandable, but he gave her no reason to continue the feeling. He was rude and ridiculed her in public. Just when you think he has reformed, he put his hatred for his father before his feelings for her and humiliated Arabella publicly, almost bringing about her complete ruin. Even more astounding was the fact that she forgave him without his having to grovel. I wanted to see him grovel.

Neville is not a likable character, which is not likely what the author intended. Rather than creating a charming rakehell, she created a first-class jerk His announcement that he’s always loved Arabella is a surprise since he rarely thinks of their first meeting during the course of the book. His apology for his behavior rings false since it was he who delivered her into the hands of the king. I just couldn’t like him. Neville’s friend Richard is another story. He was my favorite thing about this book, and I certainly hope Richard gets his own book sometime in the near future

One thing not lacking in this book is sexual tension and behavior. Everyone is sleeping with everyone else and Neville begins his sensual pursuit of Arabella almost from the first moment they meet. The love scene between Arabella and Neville is quick and passionate but dulled somewhat by the fact that I felt like I had been peeking in strangers’ bedroom windows for the entire book. Didn’t these people know anything about monogomy?

Of course, everyone ends up happy in the end, but I would have been much happier if Neville had spent the last few chapters on his knees, begging for forgiveness. As it was, I would have been happier not having read A Scoundrel’s Kiss after all.