Viscount Lucas "Luc" Westmore was the last man known to see Lady Sybil alive. Sybil had tried to entrap Luc into marriage and failed. She desperately admitted to being pregnant by a married man and need to wed quickly. Lucas promised to help her find a husband within the next two weeks. However, only two days later Sybil was found dead in the Thames, seemingly by suicide. Filled with remorse, Lucas made a vow of celibacy to last for one year. He left London for Cornwall, the small village of St. Ives, and found himself in the middle of smugglers.
Bliss Hartley was the daughter of a squire. Her father was ill and Bliss, along with everyone else in the village, turned to smuggling for money. She only wanted to make enough to take her father to a specialist in London. But there was a traitor within the smugglers ranks.
I must skip much here. The author has placed many surprises in this little village for her readers. To tell any more would give SO MUCH away. Therefore, let us fast forward.
Bliss and Luc marry and return to London. It became obvious that the talk of Lady Sybil's death had not yet ceased. Bliss was faced with trusting her husband, though he still kept a few secrets from her and had bluntly informed her not to expect him to remain faithful to her. Lucas did not believe he was in love with Bliss and kept trying to put distance between them.
***** I did NOT want to see this series end. Each Rogue's story has touched my heart, but this one even more so than the others. Bliss and Lucas are so well matched. I would say that I will miss them, but I know I will be rereading this story again very soon. All three in this series have been placed on my "Keeper" shelf. The author, Connie Mason, has proven that she is a gifted story teller, especially in the Regency era.
Word has it that the author's next release will be in November 2004, titled "THE PIRATE PRINCE". Though it will not be set in London, (Perhaps the author can be persuaded to return to London again in the near future.) I look forward to the next adventure. Highly recommended reading once again! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.