"Suspenseful sequel to After the Abduction."

Lady Clara Stanbourne dedicates her life to protecting the unwanted street urchins of London. A zealous reformer, Clara runs a small home in an unsavory part of London, trying to reform pickpockets. Always short of money, Clara is astounded when she inherits a small fortune from her scandalous uncle. Clara's dreams for the home are finally coming true. However, her excitement is quickly dashed as a receiver of stolen goods opens next to her Home. The temptation to her young charges for easy money will make her task even more difficult.

Captain Morgan Pryce's tarnished reputation enables him to open a "shop" and consort with the criminal element easily. His superiors in the Home Office have enlisted his aid to capture the Specter, an elusive master criminal causing havoc in the financial markets with his illegal schemes. Morgan is ready for the excitement of the hunt after a recent revelation that he has a respectable twin brother. He's still reeling from the disclosure of the appalling and horrifying events at his birth. After living a sordid childhood, Morgan doesn't believe he can fit into a gentleman's life easily. He wants no responsibility, especially with an independent, headstrong lady.

Clara's attraction to the enigmatic Morgan grows, and she's puzzled by the contradictions in his character. The glimpses of goodness and honor she sees in contradiction to the rumors of his criminal past confuse her. Morgan tries to evade Clara, but he's drawn to the undercurrent of wildness beneath her proper composure.

Dance of Seduction is a worthy sequel to After the Abduction. Suspenseful, with witty dialog between the reformer and the rogue, this is an excellent story. It will have readers eagerly looking for Ms. Jeffries' other books.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted March 15, 2003