To Wed A Wicked Prince
Jane Feather
Pocket, Apr 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9781416525523

In 1807, although still feeling like a country mouse, Lady Livia Lacy enjoys the London social life now that her recently inherited house has been somewhat fixed and her best friend widow Nell Dagenheim has fallen in love (see A WICKED GENTLEMAN). Livia has one concern; she cannot understand why sophisticated hunk half-English, half-Russian Prince Alexander Prokov pursues her as there are so many prettier and obviously more urbane women than a rustic mouse like her. When he proposes, she has doubts, but in love with her handsome suitor plus encouraged by Nell ' s relationship with Bonham, she accepts.

Unsure of herself, Livia begins to question who is Prince Alexander, why her, and who are all these Russian aristocrats hanging around him. She also begins to think her beloved is hiding something from her that she assumes is his real reason for being in London and perhaps courting her. When she finds incriminating old letters that answer much of what she pondered, Livia is heartbroken and prepares to rusticate in loneliness. Alex is caught between his country and his beloved wife.

The second Cavendish Square Regency romance is a wonderful tale starring two likable protagonists caught between their love and international intrigue. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the pair meets and never slows down as passion battles with duty and loyalty to one ' s love wars with to one ' s nation. Jane Feather is at the top of her game with this superb historical.

Harriet Klausner