Super, super dull. There is no huge conflict in this novel at all, and the writing is on par with Stephanie Laurens' other works; good, enjoyable, but nothing exemplary that would evoke strong emotions like make me want to burst into laughter (Julia Quinn) or sob like a baby over a big pint of Ben & Jerry's (Lisa Kleypas). There are no big overwhelming conflict over the entire book, there's a minor plot of oh, danger, Will Robinson, but it's done rather...halfheartedly. I felt like the danger and intrigue are thrown in there to flesh out the nonexistent plot rather than as an integral part of the story itself. 
 There is absolutely nothing to prevent the two h/h getting together. Hell, Henrietta even has a magical-heirloom-necklace that is pretty much a compass that would point her to the right man. Shockingly, her sister Mary digs it up and gives it to Henrietta to wear just before she meets James. And when she meets him, it warms up! Shocking! Gasp! James even admits his attraction and growing love for Henrietta right after their second or so encounter. She's a spinster, but those are a dime a dozen in romance novels, he's a bit of a rake, but nothing compared to others I've read in Regency books. He sleeps around a little bit. Horrors! But he's all ready to settle down and is actively looking for a bride to fulfill his filial responsibility and all, so his rakish ways are in the past. Way, way in the past. Like almost nonexistent. As in he is as boring as they come. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but if he's so nice and she's so nice, what's stopping them from coming together? Fah. No conflict at all. 
 I guess I'm used to the usual Stephanie Laurens formula of rakish men like Devil, Lucifer, etc., the reformed rakes, so that when a character like James comes along, he becomes unfairly dull in comparison. I don't really like rakish men; sleeping around, gambling? Pff, give me a nice guy any day, but I have to admit that they do add a little spice when it comes to a good romance novel. This book is so boring that it needs a little bit of heat.