Gideon Cole has a master plan for his life, which includes
marrying the lovely Constance Clary, whose wealth and
beauty will secure his place in London society. Lily
Masters also has a plan, which is to make enough money
picking the pockets of the wealthy to keep her and her
younger sister, Alice, fed and off the streets. When Lily
is caught with her fingers in the wrong pocket, the man is
determined to see her sent to Newgate Prison. Gideon comes
to her rescue, using his last 30 pounds to buy her freedom.
It's then he comes up with the idea of a daring masquerade,
using Lily to make the lady he wishes to marry jealous.
During their lessons on deportment, conversation and
dancing, Lily sees another side of Gideon. And this is the
man -- who represents the poor who would otherwise be
unheard in the courts, who affectionately attends to his
constantly dying uncle, who puts his sister's happiness
before his own and who rescues a pickpocket and her younger
sister from Newgate -- Lily falls in love with. It's
because of this love that Lily agrees to become the make-
believe rival of Miss Clary for Gideon's affections. For
his part, Gideon can't understand his burgeoning attraction
for the lovely Lily. It's Constance he wants to marry,
right up until the moment the contrary beauty, determined
to beat her rival, proposes marriage!
Julie Anne Long has written a delightful tale of whimsical
subterfuge, giving her readers an amusing glimpse into the
often unfathomable complexities of the London ton.
Gideon and Lily are perfect foils for one another, and
through them Ms. Long demonstrates a gift for witty prose
and sparkling dialogue. I look forward to reading more from
this author!
Gideon Cole is having a bad week: his "almost" engagement
to the wealthy, beautiful Lady Constance Clary is suddenly
threatened by the appearance of a serious rival—Lord
Jarvis, who already has a title and a fortune, whereas
Gideon's primary assets are...well, smoldering eyes and
rogueish charm. And then a pickpocket with extraordinary
eyes nearly makes off with Gideon's grandfather's watch—
and knees him in the cods to escape his grip.
Things seem
to be looking up when the magical gift of thirty pounds
makes it possible for Gideon to buy the townhouse Constance
has been coveting, but fate, of course, has other ideas...
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