The Scouhdrel is a newspaper owner who accidentally becomes an Earl.  When a Lady's brother takes his lighthearted advice too seriously, an interesting wager changes both title characters.  Very readable.

A merchant’s son, a newspaperman and an earl…all the same person. Iris is furious with her brother for living the life of a “gentleman” (drinking and gambling to excess) until she finds out why he thinks it is okay. As with most newspapermen, Merritt is looking for the next big story and refuses to give up writing and publishing his articles. But what Iris’ brother does not understand is that the articles are not meant to be “words to live by”. Both Merritt and Iris are great characters and their bargain to stop Iris’ brother and help Merritt’s sister gets them into all kinds of trouble with each other. Great interaction, just enough angst and throw in a reference to The Brotherhood of the Sword make for a great story.

Set up for the next story, but whose will it be and who is the mysterious Lady X?

This is a well written historical romance. I used to read a lot of them and now I am more selective. I enjoyed this story but I felt it was an okay story. If you are really into historicals you might like it more than I did. 

The hero, Merritt writes a scandal sheet and everyone knows he does it. Though he is a serious writer and double check his facts. Then one day he finds out he is the new earl and so he has to go out in society. My issue with this plot point is that it just didn't seem realistic that anyone would accept, even an earl who is a gossip reporter. You'd think all the invites would stop coming. But he is fairly popular.

The heroine, Iris is part of a group called the Ladies of Valour and they try and stop crimes and do good for other women. Iris is concerned about her brother who is a fan of Merritt's. He agrees to help her if she helps him with his sister, Lily and bringing her out to society.

And thats how they get to know the other. I did enjoy the story. I just had a hard time with Merritt being a scandalmonger and still being accepted by society and even invited to events.