A Lady’s Formula for Love: A Novel: The Secret Scientists of London Book #1 by Elizabeth Everett

Mathematics/Artwork by Kate Dorsey

    Doesn’t everyone want to be loved for who they are?  I would certainly think so.  But that is not a love always easy to find.  Especially if you are a scientific woman in the 19^th century.

    Lady Violet Hughes, AKA Lady Greycliff, is not like other women.  Or at least that is what 1842 London society tells her.

    In truth, Violet has found many women like herself.  Women with an interest in math and science.  All who must keep these interests a secret.  Which is why Violet opens up her house to these women.  At Beacon House, they are free to experiment and study what truly interests them.

    The only problem with this situation is Beacon House is under attack.  Violet has been entrusted with a very important assignment.  An assignment given to her by her step-son, William, Viscount Greycliff, “Grey”, who works for the government.  People want Violet’s work, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.  The desire for Violet’s work is why Grey hires Violet a bodyguard. 

    Through the years Arthur Kneland has guarded some very unpleasant people.  He figures guarding a widow will be easy.  It’s possible it would have been, if the widow wasn’t someone like Violet.  And his personal feelings hadn’t gotten involved.

    Keeping a professional distance from those he guards is something Arthur is usually very good at.  An experience early in his career told him he had to be.  But Violet is different.  Arthur falls for her quickly, even though he tries to fight it.  Fortunately, Violet falls for him too; not at all caring he is not part of her level of society.

    Arthur has competition for Violet’s affections, though.  George Willis, Earl Grantham, a childhood friend of Violet’s, wants to marry her.  Not because of a great love, but because he thinks they should.  And, of course, Violet is supposed to agree.

    The idea of marrying Grantham does not sit well with Violet, especially now she has met Arthur.  Her first husband, Daniel, made Violet believe he supported her scientific ambitions.  Once they were married, he made Violet put them to the side to care for their social life.  That is something Violet never wants to do again.  It seems that would be the fate with Grantham.

    All these decisions Violet must make would be easier if she could just be involved with Arthur.  While she does not care about his social status, society does.  The very nasty Fanny Armitage in particular.

    For the most part, Violet does not care what society thinks.  The problem is, she needs its approval to keep the happenings at Beacon House going.  Not that society knows what is really going on.  They think Violet is running London’s first ladies' social club.  Little does anyone outside know the science and math they are actually practicing behind the house walls.

    Other things getting in the way of Violet and Arthur coming together is his past and her reluctance to believe any of the women she has let into her home could be part of the troubles she is experiencing.  Arthur is convinced one of the ladies cannot be trusted, something Violet does not want to hear.  It takes Violet’s life being put directly in danger for them to figure out which one of them is right.

    This book was a lot of fun.  I loved Violet and Arthur together.  They create a great couple.  Arthur loves Violet for who she is, and vice versa.  Unlike Grantham, who claims he wants Violet for herself then lists things he would want her to do when married.  All things that would take her away from her scientific pursuits.  Which is why it’s a really great thing Violet met Arthur.  Grantham is far more like Daniel than he would ever admit.  Violet could have ended up in the exact same marriage she had before.

    The other characters in this book are good too, and they are all different.  The people Violet surrounds herself with have different interests, and are different races, sexual orientations, and sexual identities.  Some are not accepted in society.  Others, like Winthram, a transgender man, aren’t accepted in their own families.  With Violet, they are free to be themselves.  Which makes me even more excited to see what happens to all of them next.  Future books cannot come out fast enough.