"Another passionate addition to the Bastian Club series."

Alicia Carrington enters society masquerading as a wealthy widow. She and her sister, Adriana, plus three younger brothers, have instigated a daring plan to secure their precarious financial situation. They envision finding an affluent husband for the beautiful Adriana thus ensuring the boys' future. Giddy with their success, Alicia is stunned when a questionable gentleman approaches her and threatens their ruse with blackmail.

Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, thought his days of intrigue were over, but stumbling upon a lady standing over a body with a stiletto in her hand ends that idea. Believing the lady's tale, Tony enlists the aid of his friends from the newly established Bastion Club to uncover the murderer. Tony's investigation reveals a dangerous conspiracy, which centers on Alicia.

Their mutual attraction grows with Alicia, attempting to act as a sophisticated widow and not a wary virgin, under Tony's seduction. However, misunderstandings regarding Tony's honor and exposure of the traitor threaten to wreck havoc.

Ms. Lauren adds another passionate, seductive, well-written story to her new Bastian Club series. Readers will be clamoring for the next one.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted September 23, 2003

Summary

The Season has yet to begin, and the second member of the Bastion Club, tall, handsome Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, is already a target for every matchmaking mama in London. None of their flighty daughters can fix his interest, but a certain lady does... Alicia is living a deception. Desperation has caused the determined but penniless lady to boldly launch her ravishing younger sister into the ton and have her make a spectacular match. By masquerading as the widowed "Mrs. Carrington" Alicia can act as the perfect chaperone...but fashionable ladies are not accused of murder... When Tony Blake discovers Alicia standing over a dead body in his godmother's garden, every instinct tells him she is innocent. His connections allow him to take control of the investigation, his social prominence provides her public support, but it is more than honor that compels him to protect her and to do everything in his seductive power to make her his.