"Romantic comedy and suspense in one dynamite package"
Lord James Huddleton promised to protect the sister of
his now deceased friend. However in 1815 he never expected
to learn from Bow St. that the sibling Margaret Wentworth
is the notorious courtesan Lady X. As bad, the chit is
heading to Madame DuBarry's establishment frequented only
by male members of the aristocracy. Not sure how to reform the fallen lady, who apparently
has had sex with everyone but him, James kidnaps Margaret
even though she denies his accusations. However, James
soon finds himself falling in love with his captive who
reciprocates his feelings. When he learns that she is not
Lady X, James needs to keep his beloved safe, as someone
wants her dead. James is a caring individual who sticks by his word
though no one but he knows what he vowed. However, he also
learns that good intentions can prove a strange road. The
identity crisis is amusing, as readers who like an earnest
battle between the sexes will laugh a lot. Though
Margaret's danger adds excitement, that subplot spins away
from the prime theme of THE RELUCTANT REFORMER. Still,
Lynsay Sands furbishes an engaging tale that the Regency
crowd will find delightful. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 12, 2002
SummaryEveryone knows of Lady X. The masked courtesan is reputedly
a noblewoman fallen on hard times. What Lord James did not
know was that she was Lady Margaret Wentworth--the feisty
sister of his best friend, who has forced James into an
oath of protection. But when James tracks the girl to a
house of ill repute, the only explanation is that Maggie is
London's most enigmatic wanton. Snatching her away will be
a ticklish business, and after that James will have to
ignore her violent protests that she was never the infamous
X. He will have to reform the hoyden, while keeping his
hands off the luscious goods that the rest of the ton has
reputedly sampled. And, with Maggie, hardest of all will be
keeping himself from falling in love.
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