Lady Lucinda Grey is an intelligent woman, and readily acknowledges that makes finding a match this season...well, difficult. Lord William Randall is definitely not the man to court her, for his reputation as a rake is known to be well-deserved. Yet she is tempted, not knowing that she is the target of a kidnapping plot or that William is in fact a covert spy for the elite Young Corinthians. William is brilliant at his work, and at seduction, but what will he do when he is seduced by the brilliant Lucinda?
The Yarn:
Lady Lucinda Grey is getting old (because the age of 26 is ancient in this time period) and knows that if she wants to settle down, she may have to actually settle. Her best friend found love, and all of London expects her to do the same. Lord Randall, the Duke of Clairemont, has been happy in his rakish ways and his undercover work for the Corinthians, but when faced with having to place himself close to Lucinda, in order to protect her from a ruthless French kidnapper and assassin, he wagers not only his prized horse, but his heart as well. Lucinda, along with her three aunts, well-known across the city as "the Furies", are determined to have the thoroughbred, even if it means dealing with "Iron Will" and his notoriety. As the courtship becomes real, the truth comes out. Lucinda and Will must face the danger of both the enemy and their emotions to survive.
Have I ever told you how much I love Regency romance? While Sloane brings forth a well-told storyline of "secret spy protects young heiress with fake courtship that turns real", it is one that is supported by strongly-detailed characters. In Lucinda we find an intelligent, beautiful woman who is willing to parlay with a rake for her family business, in Will a strong protector with somewhat battered soul who is looking for love and does not realize it. The book is filled with several supporting characters, especially the family members of Lucinda's aunts and Will's mother and brother. It's everything you want in a romance: solid characters, descriptive scenes, and a "love conquers all" attitude.
Stefanie Sloane brings a smart but sweet romance the first of her Regency Rogue series. I am looking forward to reading the others.
The Ink:
Title: The Devil in Disguise (Regency Rogues, #1)
Author: Stefanie Sloane
Publisher: Ballantine
Date: May 2011
Read: ARC provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewers