Madeline Hunter, Lady of Sin

Lady of Sin

Madeline Hunter

Bantam, Mar 2006, $6.99, 407 pp.

ISBN: 0553587315

Lord Nathaniel Knightsbridge is the only aristocrat who practices criminal law. After losing a tough case, Ambrose's father visits him to obtain his son's pledge to prosecute criminal John Finley for blackmailing Lord James Mardenford, brother-in-law to widow Charlotte. Before the trial, Nathaniel visits John who says he was not blackmailing his lordship, but instead wanted to help him connect with his son, working the streets. Not long afterward John apparently commits suicide; as Nathaniel leaves he notices some youngsters nearby with one looking like he is a Mardenford.

He visits Charlotte and mentions the kid; she scorns his efforts as ghoulish, but agrees to meet with the child. She is stunned when she sees the kid, who, though she denies it, is clearly a Mardenford. As Nathaniel and Charlotte begin seeing one another, especially since he supports her efforts to change the laws of marriage and divorce, they fall in love, which angers James who has plans for Charlotte. Meanwhile as they work together on trying to learn more about the street urchin, she has a secret that she hides from Nathaniel: that they have already made love at Lord Lyndale's last masquerade party.

Madeline Hunter's latest sinful tale (see LORD OF SIN) is a terrific Regency romantic suspense starring two likable caring protagonists. Readers will wonder who the ten year old boy is, as he looks like a Mardenford offspring, yet James denies the kid is his; several twists later will reveal a fascinating truth. Ms. Hunter has written another fun historical that grips the audience from the moment Finley speaks out, and never slows down until the final clearing of the air.