**** - The Education of Mrs. Brimley was an instant favorite of mine when I first read it. I have an avowed soft spot for artists in my romances (oh, heck, in my stories really), and the scene where Emma 'becomes' a goddess while posing for Chambers made me want to read this over and over.Emma Brimley has gotten herself into hot water. To escape her dreadful relatives, Emma obtained a job teaching at an out-of-the-way young ladies' academy by claiming to be a widow. Only now she's expected to prepare the girls for their marital duties - something she knows absolutely nothing about. She sees no other choice but to turn to the school's roguish neighbor Lord Nicholas 'Bedchambers' Chambers.
Chambers is an artist in desperate search for a model to inspire a painting good enough to be accepted into the London Academy. So he strikes an unorthodox bargain with Mrs. Brimley - one truthful answer to her questions per item of clothing she removes to pose for him. And Emma has a lot of questions. I really enjoyed this novel. I have a soft spot for artists - whether poets, sculptors, or painters. So the descriptions of Chambers' painting and how he is inspired by Emma's transformation into a goddess really worked for me. I love stories where the heroine is a muse for the hero - and that definitely happens here. It was beautiful to see her interactions with Chambers beginning to rebuild her fragile self-esteem and give her renewed strength and confidence.
There were a few hiccups for me in the story - there were nuances of power-struggle sex (which I don't care for). But I loved the premise, and I loved the way Chambers treated the painting of Emma once he was done. Plus, I really thought the emotions portrayed in The Education of Mrs. Brimley roiled and bubbled - I love to be caught up in the story like that.
Those emotions are really the reason I keep this one on my favorites shelf - that and the gorgeous scene where Chambers sees Emma as a goddess during their posing sessions. Because, be honest, what's sexier than being an artist's muse?
Liked it? Read the sequel The Seduction of a Duke
Interested in other opinions?
Interview at History Hoydens
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