In this third book of the Legend of the Four Soldiers series, we meet Sir Alistair Munroe, a naturalist who was scarred and tortured in the Spinner’s Falls massacre.  Hiding in his castle where no one can see him and he can focus on his books, Alistair is not happy to have his peace shattered by an erstwhile “housekeeper” and her two children. 

Helen Fitzwilliam has no where else to go.  A friend suggested she run to Alistair and become his housekeeper, since no one would ever think to find her there.  But being a former mistress doesn’t do much to teach you about cleaning dirty old castles.  And the scarred man who lives there doesn’t do much to inspire comfort in her or her kids. 

But as they get to know each other, they all realize that surfaces are not all there is to life and love. 

I was very excited to read To Beguile a Beast,and while I enjoyed the previous book in the series (To Seduce a Sinner) more, this was still an excellent story.  Alistair is scarred, but not so badly as to undesirable, both physically and emotionally.  Helen is a sympathetic character, with her desire for a life not under the thumb of another and her love for her children.  If you enjoyed the previous books in the series, you will enjoy this one, too.