The Montesoro Legacy

Brandon Brothers, Book 3

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The Montesoro Legacy

By: Stella Riley

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

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Summary

A dangerous stepbrother...a letter from a Venice...a secret key...and London’s most fashionable portraitist. Dark doings and deceptions surround an unexpected legacy...and an equally unexpected love story.

Upon learning that his stepsister, Mariella Talbot, is the beneficiary of a surprise inheritance, Sir Jerome Farrell decides to seize it for himself. Already struggling to thwart her stepbrother’s other wicked intentions, Mariella realizes two things: To claim the Montesoro legacy, Jerome must make a lengthy journey...but without a certain item in her possession, he will return empty-handed.

Successful, sought-after, and contemplating marriage to a lovely young widow, Leo Brandon’s commission to paint Charlotte Farrell takes him to Surrey for three days. Had he known in advance how those days would rearrange his life, he might have made the catastrophic mistake of staying in London.

Meanwhile, the agents of M Section are interested in Sir Jerome for reasons of their own...and, unlike Mariella, are less than delighted when he leaves the country.

Stella RileyAlex WyndhamStella RileyBrandon Brothers

Historical

Historical Fiction

Regency

Regency Romance

Romance

Romantic Suspense

Suspense

Heartfelt

Feel-Good

England

Historical Historical Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Heartfelt Feel-Good England

Most relevant

Listener received this title free

Stella Riley has brought her Brandon Brothers trilogy to a stunning finale with The Montesoro Legacy and, whilst I loved Max, Adam and their wives, Leo and Mariella tip the scales as my favourite couple of the series.

Leo, the youngest of the brothers, has led a charmed life; he’s handsome and charismatic, if somewhat naive, and perhaps inclined to fall in love a little too easily. His extraordinary talent, coupled with two extremely high profile commissions, has guaranteed professional success and popularity with the ladies. The climb up the ladder of popularity has been rapid and, as the darling of society, he is now even more sought after as a portraitist to the rich and privileged. However, its all a little too much too soon, because society can be fickle and, as he discovers, if one climbs the ladder of success too quickly then the way down can be equally as fast, even when one has done no wrong.

Having discovered that public opinion can turn on a sixpence and, disappointingly, that his so called love believes the unfounded gossip surrounding him, Leo sets out to minimise the damage caused to the reputation of Mariella Montesoro Talbot. She is the lady who has unwittingly become the target of malicious gossip as the result of an innocent encounter with himself. Having learned the hard lesson that his comeliness and charm will not save him, Leo re-visits Mariella who suggests a plan to embark on a fake engagement which should save his honour and her reputation. The eventual goal is for Mariella to break the engagement, with honour to both parties restored.

Leo had noticed Mariella when he had encountered her on a visit to her step-brother’s home, where he’d been invited to meet the subject of a portrait he had been commissioned to paint. Her glorious rose-gold hair had drawn his keen artist’s eye, her half-veiled amusement intriguing him further. So becoming ‘engaged’ to her wasn’t too much of a hardship. And, as we discover, the two soon become friends… and more.

Mariella is a delightful character and fully deserving of the attentions of the delectable Leo, whose honour and protectiveness is soon at the forefront when he takes her and her younger brother, Donato, to London under the protection of his family. He is soon helping Mariella to uncover the treachery of her smarmy step-brother, Sir Jerome Farrell. Mariella has fought hard to keep herself and Donato safe from Jerome’s machinations. With no one to turn to, and with sinister, unexplained ‘accidents’ to her person and dark, barely veiled threats regarding Donato, she has been afraid for their safety for a long time. It’s therefore a relief to have Leo in her corner. Even now, the only reason Mariella has been able to make her escape, with Donato, to Leo’s family in London is because Jerome has gone on a wild goose chase to Venice in search of Mariella’s Italian Montesoro inheritance.

There’s more to Sir Jerome Farrell than meets the eye because not only Leo, but also Adam Brandon and the agents of M Section, are investigating his participation in far more sinister activities. It’s good to see this eclectic group of people working as one again behind the scenes. The ensuing investigation and mystery is cleverly plotted and brings the story to an exciting climax with Sir Jerome Farrell getting his comeuppance in a very satisfactory manner.

There are some special moments in this book which stood out for me. Although Donato is a secondary character, he’s skilfully drawn and developed. Throughout the book he grows in stature under Leo’s patience, care and guidance, bringing a richness and fullness to his character. Initially he’s quiet and withdrawn; the only person who really understands him is Mariella, and then only as a loving and protective older sister might… until Leo. Donato finds pleasure in his garden and loves to paint the specimens he has grown himself. Leo, recognising his exceptional skill as a botanical artist, shows him how to use other painting methods and treats him as friend and equal, with the result that Donato flowers before our very eyes. Jerome Farrell has only ever seen him as a candidate for an asylum, and one whose inheritance he can steal - by stealth of course. However, through the eyes of lovely Leo, we see an intelligent and talented young man who deserves respect and admiration.

Also, without giving too much of the plot or story away, there’s one truly beautiful and inspiring point in this story that completely took my breathe. Fans of this author’s work will know when you reach it, as it’s necessary to have read The Wicked Cousin to understand the significance of what I’m talking about. I was not expecting it, and it stands out for me as a truly moving and spine tingling moment. One I returned to and read more than once.

Some of the main characters from the author's award winning Rockliffe series pop in as usual; it really is like having old friends to visit… especially, in this instance, Adrian (The Player) and Sebastian (The Wicked Cousin) - be still my beating heart. Was there ever such a wonderful, funny, endearing and charismatic character as Sebastian? Ms. Riley’s always outstanding skill in character development is again, very evident, as is her familiar wit and humour, especially in the way she has Leo bantering and interacting with his brothers, their love and affection for one another obvious.

As usual Alex Wyndham delivers a flawless performance on all counts, enunciating an impressive variety of voices. The tone, accent and timbre, delineating each character in the story, is only enriched by his cultured ‘smooth-as-silk’ voice, and British accent which is perfect for this genre and in particular, Ms.Riley’s vast cast of Georgians. Mr. Wyndham is the voice of Stella Riley’s superb writing and I doubt there could be a more perfect writing/performing team.

The Montesoro Legacy is a beautifully romantic, clever mystery, and a fabulous addition to Stella Riley’s catalogue of books, brought to three dimensional brilliance by Alex Wyndham. A perfect ending to the Brandon Brothers trilogy.