Patricia Frances Rowell, A Treacherous Proposal

A Treacherous Proposal

Patricia Frances Rowell

Harlequin, Aug 2005, $5.50

ISBN: 037329364X

In 1814 London, Lord Wynmond Corby dies from injuries he suffered leaving behind his wife Diana and their two small children Bytham and Selena. Lord St. Edmonds offers to help the beautiful widow with an "arrangement" to pay off her debts; however, Earl Vincent Inglets intercedes as Wyn was his only friend. Vincent persuades St. Edmonds to roll the dice for who would protect the widow. They "exchange" dice and Vincent wins to the relief of Diana.

Following the funeral someone abducts Bytham, but before the hoodlum can escape with the child, Vincent rescues him; the thug escapes. Vincent wonders if the return of Napoleon from exile, the death of Wyn, and the kidnap attempt are related to the deceased's work at the Home Office. Vincent takes the widow and her kids to a safe estate of his to keep them safe, but someone believes they have information Wyn accumulated leaving no haven for the grieving family. However, he never expected Diana to prove that he is worthy of being loved while demonstrating she can be trusted to safeguard his heart.

Though similar to many entries in the sub-genre, readers will gain pleasure form this tremendous Regency romantic suspense. Wyn is a fabulous protagonist trusting no one as he learned his life lessons as a child under the odious tutelage of his sire; Diana needs him not just to keep her offspring safe, but because she trusts him with her heart and soul. The espionage subplot engages the reader mostly because it propels Wyn to hang around though he finds his guest to be A DANGEROUS SEDUCTION and fears his lack of control will lead to A SCANDALOUS SITUATION.

Harriet Klausner