Buried Secrets is close to being a really good read, but its promising beginning makes the disappointing end all the more frusterating. The hero is a somewhat tormented man who changes in a believable way during the course of the book, and he shares some great chemistry with the heroine. There is also a fun sub-plot involving the diary of Samuel Pepys. Unfortunately, the heroine’s unlikely behavior toward the end really detracts from the rest of the book.

When the Earl of Cordray, or Cord as he is usually called, is about to be strong-armed into marriage by a meddling aunt, he can think of only one way to escape. Fleeing on horseback, he journeys to one of his lesser estates bequeathed to him by an uncle, where he is sure no one will think to look for him. But when he gets there his experiences are not quite what he had expected – upon his arrival he notices a mysterious figure riding on horseback across the estate. Evidence suggests that it is a woman, but what would a woman be doing there in the dark of night?

As Cord ponders this mystery he meets some friends of his late uncle who are living in a cottage on the estate. Sir Henry Folsome is a semi-retired Cambridge scholar, and he lives with his widowed sister and his niece, Gillian Tate. When Cord sees the beautiful Gillian, he suspects that she may be the mysterious rider. He can’t help but be intrigued by her, so he resolves to further their acquaintance. Gradually he gets to know Gillian and her family, and he is pulled into their circle. Sir Henry is obsessed with the diary of Samuel Pepys, which was written in code during the Restoration and has yet to be translated. Cord has some knowledge of language and literature, so he tries to aid Sir Henry. He also thinks that Gillian’s midnight rides might be connected to the diary.

Gillian is not sure what to think of Cord. She’s very attracted to him, but she is also sure that he is just another spoiled rake with little character. As she gets to know him she comes to like him much more, but this only upsets her. Events in her past have convinced her that she can never truly love anyone, so she is determined to fight her feelings for Cord. Meanwhile, Cord is coming to care for Gillian, and he feels like a whole new man. As they work together to help Sir Henry with Pepys’ diary, Cord tries to convince Gillian that they really do belong together.

There was so much about this book that I enjoyed, particularly the hero. Cord is interesting and multi-layered. The reasons for his previously frivolous life are believable, as are his changes throughout the course of the book. He begins to care not only about Gillian but about his responsibilities as well. He’s a very likable hero. The sub-plot about Pepys’ diary is obviously fictionalized, but it is well-done, and really adds texture to the book.

It is Gillian’s character that is the problem. Though she is likable for the most part, her stubborn refusal to believe that she can ever fall in love is somewhat contrived and hard to credit. Initially she feels that Cord is simply seeking a dalliance with her, so she doesn’t want to become too involved with him. This makes sense, but her real reason for avoiding a relationship with Cord is revealed at the end, and it just doesn’t seem realistic. She thinks of herself as “cursed” and “unfit for love,” but her dark secret is not sufficiently dramatic to warrant such feelings.

Unfortunately, Gillian’s unlikely attitude really mars what would otherwise be a very good read. It’s too bad, because there is some great stuff here, and Cord is an intriguing hero. Sometimes books that have several promising elements are all the more disappointing when they go awry, and sadly, that is what happens here.