The Secret Daughter

Gracie closes out her Brides of Bellaire Gardens series (after The Heiress’s Daughter) with this bumpy Regency. Artist Zoë Benoît, “an illegitimate, half-French orphan,” has just finished a three-year stint in Paris learning how to be a lady so she can make her half sisters proud upon returning to London for her society debut. On her way home, she decides to visit the country estate where her mother was born—only to find the chateau in ruins. Luckily, a roaming painter-for-hire who introduces himself as Reynard offers Zoë—who tells him she’s a maid named Vita—a place to stay. They spend a picturesque week together, painting and rescuing a scruffy dog. But when Zoë comes to suspect that Reynard is stealing art from the villagers, her dreams of a future together are dashed. She’s shocked when, months later, they meet again in London and she learns that Reynard is really Julian Fox, the Earl of Foxton—and that he’s been desperate to find her and profess his love. The characters’ backstories are filled in through repetitive exposition, and all the lies and misunderstandings often feel unnecessary. As a result, Zoë comes across as shockingly naive while Julian seems unnecessarily difficult. Gracie neatly ties up other subplots from previous installments, which will please returning fans, but it’s hard to get on board with this central couple. It’s a disappointing finale. (Dec.)