"Lottie Palliser is divorced and notorious."
Reviewed by Leanne Davis
Posted January 18, 2011
Romance Historical
Lottie promised her husband that she would be discrete in
her affairs. When she flaunts her last one, he divorces
her; leaving her virtually penniless. The ton has discarded
her, and her family has cast her off. Her only friend is
out of the country. Her much beloved brother is in the army
and unreachable.
Lottie sells off most of her gowns and jewelry. When that
money runs out, she offers her services to one of the most
notorious brothel owners in all of London. However, the
life of a whore is far different than Lottie could
comprehend. She no longer has a choice in who she sleeps
with, and the men who come to her are often men she spurned
when she was married.
At her darkest moment, Lottie receives an offer from Ethan
Ryder to pose as his mistress. She knows he is up to
something but his wealth and good looks make him a much
better option than any other choices she might have. Lottie
accepts his offer. As she is shopping to replenish her
wardrobe, Lottie runs into her brother who convinces her
that it is her duty to spy on Ethan for the government. In
return, he promises to get her a stipend with which she can
support herself.
Ethan Ryder is the illegitimate son of an Irish Duke and a
circus performer. He has a fortune but the treatment he
received as a boy causes him to throw in his lot with the
French cavalry. A brilliant and daring attitude helped him
rise through the ranks until his capture. Now on parole in
England, the British government has also captured his son.
Even though, Ethan lives a short distance from the prison
where his son is held, he is not allowed to see him. Ethan
has drafted a plan which will set all of England on its
ears. Lottie is just the diversion he needs. None of the
authorities watching over him will believe he is plotting
anything with such a lovely mistress at his beck and call.
Nothing will go as either Lottie or Ethan plan. Lottie will
insinuate herself into his life and that of the town in ways
that he least expects. Ethan's understanding and attention
will soothe the feelings of inadequacy that Lottie has felt
all her life. She will be drawn to him even as she fights
to remain aloof knowing that she plans to betray him.
This is the second in a trilogy. Ms. Cornick has taken a
character who is rather unlikable and turned her into one
that the reader can sympathize with. As we learn more about
her background, we begin to realize that Lottie has never
had anyone who loved her just for herself. Her antics and
affairs are the only way she knows to get the attention she
desires. As we begin to understand the reasons for her
behavior, it is much easier to forgive her and accept that
she doesn't really know how to express her love for others.
Ethan is revealed to be a deeply unhappy individual who can
understand and appreciate Lottie because his life was much
the same. His choices were different and led him to a life
which would overthrow all the life his father led. As the
two begin a relationship, they will find themselves torn
between what they have sworn to do and what they want to do.
This is a wonderfully written story with two deeply
conflicted characters. The insights we gain into their
lives and hearts will engross and delight the reader.
SUMMARY
Once the toast of the ton, Lottie Cummings is now
notorious for being divorced. Shunned by society,
the destitute beauty is lured to become a Covent Garden
courtesan. Until a dangerous rake saves her with a
scandalous offer.
The illegitimate son of a duke, Ethan Ryder rose to the
ranks of Napoleon's most trusted cavalry officer—until his
capture landed him in England as a prisoner of war. Now on
parole, Ethan is planning his most audacious coup yet. But
he needs Lottie's help to create a spectacular diversion.
Yet their pact ignites a passionate bond that may
scandalize even these two wicked souls….
ExcerptA man was standing in the doorway, one shoulder resting
against the jamb. He was in black and white evening dress
and against the raucous colour of the brothel with its
damask walls and peacock drapes he looked stark and almost
too plainly attired. He was tall with black hair cut short
and eyes of a startling, striking blue in a lean, watchful
face. Lottie felt Hagan stiffen, as though sensing a rival.
"Sir-" Hagan’s face had reddened. "You intrude. You
must wait your turn."
The stranger’s eyes met Lottie’s. His gaze was so
bright and piercing that she felt her breath catch. Odd,
she thought, that in that moment there was something in
his eyes that looked almost like reassurance. Odd and
impossible, an illusion, for then he smiled and any
impression of gentleness was banished. He strode forward,
self-assured, dangerous.
"Oh, I do not think so," he murmured. "I don’t wait in
line."
Hagan opened his mouth to speak but it was Mrs Tong who
intervened now, a sweep of her hand silencing him.
"My lord…" Lottie could not quite place the tone in the
bawd’s voice. There was deference there, certainly, but
something else too. Wariness? Lottie had known all manner
of men, from over-refined dandies to brutish bucks, but
she had never met a man whose presence felt quite so
elemental. There was danger in the room. She felt it in
the air and with a prickle down her spine. Suddenly the
atmosphere was alive.
"I am sure Mr Hagan would not mind waiting," Mrs Tong
said smoothly. "If you would be so good, sir… Can I offer
you a glass of wine perhaps? On the house?" She was
already shepherding Hagan towards to door. The newcomer
stood aside with studied amusement to allow him to pass.
Lottie let out her breath on a sigh she had thought was
silent until the man cast her a quick, appraising glance.
The door closed.
"You are Charlotte Cummings?" The stranger asked.
"No," Lottie said. "Not any more." The only thing she
had wanted from Gregory was money. He could keep his name.
It was no use to her. "I am Charlotte Palliser now," she
said.
The man inclined his head. "I had heard that the
Pallisers had disowned you."
"They cannot take my name," Lottie said. "I was born
with it."
He did not reply at once. He was watching her with that
same acute interest that he had shown from the moment he
had set eyes on her. His gaze held no sexual appraisal,
only a cool calculation that made Lottie shiver for there
was no softness in it at all.
"May I?" He gestured to the armchair. She was surprised
he troubled to ask permission. Such courtesy sat oddly
with the sense that this was a man who would take what he
wanted whether anyone opposed him or not.
He sat down and crossed one ankle over the other knee,
lounging back with a casual grace. His whole body, so long
and lean, looked elegantly relaxed and yet Lottie thought
it would be a mistake to dismiss him as yet another
fashionable Corinthian. There was too much forcefulness
beneath the surface, too much power and intensity banked
down.
"Who are you," Lottie said, "that Mrs Tong allows you
to dictate to her and does not even make you pay in
advance?" It appeared that he was not intent on hurrying
her into bed, whoever he was.
He laughed. "Ethan Ryder, at your service." There was
a wicked spark in his blue eyes. "And I pay afterwards."
He raised an eyebrow. "I do believe you’re blushing. How
singular – in a courtesan."
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