Always a Temptress (Drake's Rakes) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lady Kate Seaton has put on a happy face for years. She is the daughter of a duke, the sister of a duke and the wife of a late duke which has made her bold, admired and envied by all...all that is except her brother and his wife, who are trying to commit her into an asylum to gain control of a home Kate owns. When her brothers latest attempt happens in the presence of Major Sir Harry Lidge, Harry steps in and says they are married so Kates brother has no control of her anymore. Harry is shocked by what he says as he and Kate have a past in which they were happily in love and Harry was lead to believe that Kate tricked him and it sent Harry into the army for ten years. Upon his return, he learns that Kate holds a vital clue needed for the Drakes Rakes and he knows he can not let her go into an asylum, hence the announcement of marriage. Even though neither one of them want to marry, especially to each other, they agree that it must happen to protect Kate and Harry temporarily puts his dreams of travel on hold to help solve the mystery of who is after Kate, if Kate has this mysterious verse and if he can ever trust Kate again.

There is so much depth and emotion in this story that it will just keep you so engrossed you won't even notice the time! Kate. Wow, her secrets and her past are just truly heartbreaking and the more we learn, the more you feel for Kate. And Harry. Wow again. His understanding and caring for Kate, whom he thinks betrayed him, is just so wonderful. It is really hard to say much without spoiling anything but you will fall in love with these two as a couple! They are just perfect for each other. They need each other to be complete and you can just feel that. Truly, they need each other and the road to that is filled with bumps but when they find each other finally, you will be sighing with happiness! And yes, I did sort of guess some of the reason as to why Kate was treated the was she was, I was still a bit surprised in the end so that is always a plus for me. Also, the culprit behind Kates attacks was not quite who I thought either. Overall, a truly heartbreaking, sigh-worthy, happy 5 stars!

Starting off with a traitor and an abduction, Always a Temptress is a fast moving story about espionage and damaged souls. It took until the middle of this novel that I really began to enjoy the story and it was due almost solely to the heroine who was not that likable in the beginning of the story.

Lady Kate is a duchess and widow who has an unsavory reputation about the ton as a rather loose, unconventional outrageous woman. Kate almost likes her reputation and she can turn on the smoldering glances at the drop of a hat. She is attending a wedding that ends in a grisly murder of a traitor known as the Surgeon. Before his death he whispers to her cousin that Kate knows information about his traitorous group, the Lions. Kate's cousin fearing for her asks his good friend former military officer Harry Lidge to take care of her.

Harry believes the worst, that Kate is a spy and he is certain he is right in his beliefs based on his history with her. She has betrayed him in the past after their young romance ended ten years earlier. He abducts Kate and tries to get her to tell him information about the Lions but Kate claims not to have a clue.

Kate is furious with Harry and furthermore she is out to hurt him and during these opening chapters they trade insults with each other with Kate acting almost impervious to Harry. Kate had a terrible marriage and she lays much of her past hurts right at the feet of Harry, even going so far as vindictively breaking up two of his engagements. It's hard to like a vindictive heroine.

It soon becomes apparent that Kate needs protection not only from assassins but from her own brother and who steps in to save her but Harry. During these scenes Kate is argumentative. Almost every scene until the middle portion of this book has Kate disagreeing with Harry and in essence she is incredibly stubborn. Yes, she has had a terrible past but she allows her emotions to overtake her common sense especially when it comes to her personal safety. These chapters are a bit trying because the reader can see Harry's innate noble nature and his compassionate actions. Kate is oblivious and worse she lashes out at him striving for control but this comes across as shrewish (i.e. she is angry that he has a formulized a plan to protect her, knowing he is a master strategist on the battle field).

Both these characters have had major traumas but of the two Harry is the more adjusted. He has not allowed his kind nature to be overtaken by his nightmares. He is very brave and finally, finally Kate learns a lesson from him; she doesn't have to let her past dictate her future. When she has this epiphany the novel takes a decidedly better turn and the romance between the leads goes from hostile energy to passion and transformation. Kate becomes a stronger person because she begins to believe not in her hardened persona but in the person she can be with Harry. Her self discovery is the very best part of this story. For his part Harry has important decisions to make: after they catch the traitors and Kate is safe should he stay or continue with his dream of travelling the world?

The espionage portion of this story was not as engaging as the romance between the couple. Overall this novel merits four stars due almost solely to the latter part of the novel which shows the reader how much this couple, who have suffered greatly, trust one another with not only their physical safety but with their hearts.

Major Sir Harry Lidge despite his affirmations that it is not true has loved Katie Hilliard since they were children. He has tried to deny it, run away from it, and even accused her of treason, yet he still cannot stop for the wanting of her even after being apart for ten years. Harry is a squire's son that made something of himself through his Commission as a soldier, but having left Kate behind when she needed him the most has left bitter memories and scars Kate will not let go of and well she is tad upset about the whole accusing her of treason statement.

Harry has sworn to expose Kate's secrets and prove she has the key to unlocking the mystery of the covert society set to create anarchy but Kate doesn't know what anyone is looking for and can't imagine who would want to kill her. The more Harry finds out about Kate the more he is proving her innocent not guilt and now due to his poor decisions Harry has them both in a terrifying situation. It seems the real traitor is out there knocking down the door seeking death not answers. Harry must do more than just protect her he must discover what the secret she has that everyone wants.

Everyone is convinced Kate has the answer that Drake's Rakes is looking for but trying to figure out where it is will not be easy. If this is, something from her past, it will a difficult hurdle getting past the pain of those memories to find this illusive answer. Kate does not have anything but bitter memories from her negligent father, a loathing for her abusive late husband and a deep detest for her vindictive brother.

To keep Kate safe and her brother away Harry comes up with a resolution that does not sit well with anyone but will work. Harry has to convince Kate that he knows best, that he is not trying to rule her life, and will never stop taking care of her. They both are scared and shattered by the battles they have fought, but the war between them must end peacefully. Good Luck with that one Harry!

I love this series with its interesting characters, fresh story lines, and exceptional tie-in from one book to the next. As you finish one book you cannot wait for the next one to see what is going to happen, which is always a reader's delight. Eileen Dreyer moves the reader seamlessly through the chapters with careful detail and exacting descriptions of both the characters and the setting, which is something I truly thank her for with every book.