Widow in Scarlet (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lucy Contrain's husband died a year ago in an accident, leaving her with a lot of debt she has no hope to pay off on her own. Left with one maid (and that's because the girl refuses to leave) and an empty pantry, Lucy must depend on the kindness of others to make it through the day. She attends the Countess of Sealy's weekly salon and is fortunate enough to be given some of the countess's old clothes to wear. But when Lucy finds a note stuck to her door, stating that she needs to come up with 1,000 pounds or lose her house, she knows there's no hope left for her. No kind soul could ever be that generous.

Then she meets Nicholas Richmond, whose search for a royal ruby named "the scarlet widow" takes him to Lucy's door. He tells her that her late husband was a jewel thief, a fact that Lucy refuses to believe. Then he mentions the reward for the lost jewel-5,000 pounds-and Lucy vows to help him in any way she can. Their search leads them to the seedy underside of London, to royal salons and theater gatherings, and into each other's arms.

The plot may be one you've already encountered in many Regency novels, but it's the characterization that really makes this novel shine. Nicholas is as sexy and charming as you'd expect. He's also a rake, whose reputation with the ladies is the talk of the ton. But there's more to him than that, including a past he keeps hidden from everyone, and a generous, kind heart he opens up to the right woman. Lucy is naïve and innocent in the ways of the world, making her a perfect match for Nicholas. She's a quick learner, and it's a delight to see the way she grows from a timid, penniless widow to a confident, gorgeous woman of high society.

A delightful book to curl up with, WIDOW IN SCARLET is mostly serious in tone, but provides some great comic relief as well. The love scenes are scorching hot, as is the tension between Lucy and Nicholas.

Setting - London, 1816 --- Lucy Contrain, was just completing a years mourning for her deceased husband, Stanley. Having not left her financially secure, she was just getting by - barely - and trying to keep her head above water at the mountain of debt left to her at Stanley's passing that was fast consuming her. If not for the friendship of a very kind widow, the countess of Sealy, who held weekly salons, Lucy, who attended these, would at least be able to eat and oftentimes sneak a sandwich or two in her reticule to bring home to her one remaining young maid. The gossip at these salons often told the tales and latest on-dits and conquests of Nicholas Ramsey, Viscount Richmond.

Nicholas was widely known by a scandalous reputation, and as a great lover, although few knew his true occupation was acting as an agent for the Prince Regent. Prinny had commissioned him to locate a legendary ruby, the "Scarlett Widow', that he wanted as an addition to the famous crown jewels. The problem was the ruby had been stolen before it ever reached the appointed exchange and Nicholas' friend, the courier, had been killed in the process. A year later and a very cold trail led him to the door of another beguiling widow, Lucy Contrain.

Totally wary of this known seducer who announced - `he desperately needed her' - Lucy was not initially ready or comfortable to help him prove her deceased husband was in cahoots with the thieves. That was until she discovered that he would allow her to share in the five thousand pound reward - and of course she would be able to clear her husbands name. Nicolas whose devil-may-care attitude towards falling in love masked a deep and genuine hurt over failing to keep his loved ones safe, so made it a point to remain detached. Now that attempts are being made on Lucy, he is more than ever regretting allowing her to become involved.

What follows is an exciting adventure and a luscious slow and beautiful seduction that is as charming as the suspense plot is exciting. Nicholas is a complex character who masks his generous and caring heart with an arrogant indifference. Lucy, although a widow is an innocent and trusting young woman who is only now experiencing through Nicholas, what true caring and loving is all about. Mostly serious in nature, the reader will be delighted with the humorous episode involving the borrowed guard dog and the resulting calamity. This was a truly enjoyable read that is just perfect for a lazy day at the beach or in the back yard. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

Ever since her husband Stanley's death a year ago, life has been difficult for Lucy Contrain. Although love had not been a factor in their marriage, he had rescued Lucy from being her cousin Wilhelmina's unpaid drudge, and their life had been comfortable enough. Since his death, however, Stanley's creditors have forced Lucy to sell everything of value and there is very little money left. Faced with poverty and -- even worse -- the thought of returning to her cousin, Lucy seeks advice from a new acquaintance, the Countess of Sealey. While the elderly lady promises to keep her ears open for anyone seeking a companion, it is the countess's naughty recommendation that Lucy seek a lover that lingers in her mind as she heads home.

Nicholas Ramsey, the Viscount Richmond, has carefully crafted a scandalous reputation in order to conceal his secret activities. Commissioned by the Prince Regent to oversee the purchase and shipment of the fabulous Royal Ruby of Mandalay, otherwise known as the Scarlet Widow, from India to England, Nicholas asked his friend and fellow agent, Victor Montat, to bring the priceless jewel to London. On the very evening that Victor arrives on English soil, however, he is murdered and the Scarlet Widow stolen. Fearing the scandal it might bring down on his head if the theft is revealed, Prinny has asked Nicholas to find the jewel and find it fast. Nicholas's investigation has led him to identify Stanley Contrain as someone involved in the theft. Eager to avenge his friend's murder and recover the jewel, Nicholas arrives at the Contrain residence just in time to stop a couple of thugs who are harassing the Widow Contrain.

Lucy's gratitude for her rescuer's help in getting rid of the a creditor's bullies quickly turns to outrage when he introduces himself and declares he needs her. Well aware of the viscount's womanizing reputation, Lucy is at first suspicious of his intentions. But when Nicholas takes her into his confidence and reveals that there is a reward for the safe delivery of the Scarlet Widow to the Prince Regent, the intrepid (and desperate) Lucy knows this is last her chance to escape a life of penury and declares she will help Nicholas find the jewel and bring the murderers to justice. As the pair slowly unravel the mystery of the Scarlet Widow, their close "professional" relationship quickly escalates into a fiery attraction. However, the closer they get to the truth, the more danger seems to stalk them.

Nicole Byrd continues to make a name for herself in romance fiction and WIDOW IN SCARLET is a fine example of her talent. The feeling of suspense surrounding the theft of the Scarlet Widow is a perfect complement to the growing relationship between the lead characters. While Lucy is a clear character to read from the start, Nicholas is a compelling hero whose facets are slowly revealed along with his tragic past. As always, it is fun to run into historical figures in books, and Prinny doesn't disappoint in his cameo. Well-paced, suspenseful and romantic, WIDOW IN SCARLET should garner Ms. Byrd many more fans.

TheSchemer