With a return to the Victorian era, Tasha Alexander has us
enter the world of Lady Emily Ashton. A young widow just
emerging from mourning, Emily has decided not to let society
dictate her behavior any more. She married to get away from
a managing mother. Her marriage ended abruptly with the
unexpected death of her husband while on a safari in Africa.
Emily is determined to spend the rest of her life as a widow.
Still in half mourning, Emily has spent her time learning
Greek and earning a greater appreciation for the antiquities
her husband collected. She spends time tracking down Greek
and Roman artifacts and urging owners to donate them to the
British Museun.
At the same time, she is attending what events are fitting
to her state of mourning. When she meets the latest
pretender to the French throne, Charles Berry, Emily will be
drawn into the mystery surrounding his claims to be the last
living descendant of Louis the XVI and Marie Antionette. The
ton is rife with rumors about the boorish young man from
America and the scandal of the burglar who is stealing
artifacts that once belonged to Marie Antionette.
Mr. Colin Hargreaves, her husband's best friend, is working
hard to undermine Emily's intention not to marry again.
Despite Emily's best intentions, she finds herself drawn
into the investigation of these events upon the death of a
quiet gentlemen who lived an unassuming life. Emily will
find herself at the mercy of viperous tongues of society as
she fends off the unwelcome attentions of Mr. Berry.
With the help of her friends and her suitor, Colin, Emily
will identify the killer and discover a secret which has
been kept for many years.
Be prepared to find yourself in a world of horse-drawn
carriages and railroads as you pick up the sequel to Ms.
Alexander's acclaimed debut novel, And Only to Deceive. You
will struggle with Emily as she fights to overcome the
strictures of society and maintain her interests and
independence. The cast of characters is full of well-drawn
personalities starting with Emily and Colin.
I delved into this book with great anticipation and my hopes
were fulfilled as I followed the adventures of Emily and
Colin. Ms. Alexander has brought the Victorian era to life
without burdening us with too much history. Her language and
characters increase the feeling that we are living in the
19th century. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
This review is from the hardcover edition.
London's social season is in full swing, and Victorian
aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman
who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and
Marie Antoinette. But he's not the only topic of wagging
tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz
with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has
been systematically stealing valuable items that once
belonged to the ill-fated queen.
Light gossip turns
serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is
found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted
obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It will take all of
Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and
ferret out the murderer, while faced with a brewing scandal
that threatens both her reputation and her romance with her
late husband's best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves.