Beatrice Lacey is set to enjoy the Season in London with
her dear friends Jack and Ginny Travers. The efforts of
Ginny to set up her friend with Mr Drake, a Bow Street
Runner, are appreciated, but they go astray. Instead,
Beatrice will find A LOVE MOST DARING.
Alexander Rawlings, a senior Bow Street officer, is
currently occupied with investigating the murder of Viscount
Somerton. He makes time to dine with his friends the Travers
family β one has to eat. Associating with ill deeds
and law breakers is not quite done, at this time, but
Beatrice doesnβt care, as sheβs given up hope of
a good match. Some false rumours were spread around town a
couple of years ago and sheβs not likely to recover
her good name. She suspects conniving Miss Clarissa
Haythorne of being the instigator of the scandal. The
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens come high on her list of delights
to visit, and with the Travers and a reluctant Mr Rawlings,
she has an evening to remember. Unfortunately, for the wrong
reasons. A footpad sets on them and Beatrice sees his face
when the mask slips. He escapes.
Rawlings considers it likely that he was the subject of
the attack by what may be the murderer. Beatrice is now in
danger as a witness. Rawlings decides to take steps to
ensure her safety.
The beautiful covers of this Bow Street series feature
outdoors and architecture. Briarstone House is the location
for this one. The tale itself is similar to others
Iβve read in romantic suspense, but itβs a clean
read with some stretching of propriety for the early 1800s.
Beatrice would probably not have travelled away from family
without a maid; this does get called into question, however,
and she does have trouble fastening her clothing by herself.
Some odd characters and red herrings arise, to keep the
reader occupied while Beatrice figures out matters and
Rawlings starts to fall in love.
Joanna Barker is clearly enjoying herself as she writes
about professional police investigators in bygone times, and
the intrepid ladies they manage to find and marry. I can see
that women who are not young misses and not quite acceptable
are the ideal matches. Iβll have to get more of the
series to learn about the other ladies involved. A LOVE MOST
DARING is a fine read for those who enjoy drawing-room
romances and suspenseful antics.
After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high—profile murder case gripping the city.
Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it's clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal—stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow—burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.
With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all.
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