Review: The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens

January 31st, 2010 | 4 Stars, Comedy of Manners, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, J-L, Regency, Secret Agent, Widow or Widower

guestreview-2

By: Marcia, guest reviewer

Lady Latitia Vaux Randall has come to ask Christian Allardyce, 6^th Marquess of Dearne, for help. Someone has just murdered her husband and the authorities suspect her younger brother, Justin, of having committed the deed. Thus begins Ms. Laurens' seventh ‘Bastion Club' novel.

The Bastion Club was formed after the end of the Napoleonic Wars when seven previous members of Her Majesty's Secret Service needed a place to find peace from the persistent, husband hunting families intent on marrying off their daughters to these highly eligible bachelors. The members have every intention of doing their duty and marrying, but want to choose their own spouses at their own pace and in relative peace.

Twelve years ago, before the war, Latitia and Christian were lovers and, although they never formalized an agreement, their intentions to marry were clear. Then Christian joined the guards but was quickly and quietly selected to spy for his country. He was to tell no one outside of his immediate family. In case of emergency, he left information on whom to contact with his family attorney. Since the Vaux family was a member of the haute ton and very wealthy, Christian felt that Latitia would be well cared for in his absence.

He never told her about his mission. Four years later, Latitia's father lost most of his money in bad investments. Mr. George Randall approached the family and offered to save them from their predicament in return for Latitia's hand in what he specified should be, to all outward appearances, a love match. Latitia tried franticly to contact Christian, but could not find out where he was. All of her letters came back unanswered. She believed Christian had abandoned her. Christian was stunned and angered to hear of Lititia's marriage. He could not understand how she could fall in love with another man after the passion they shared. Now he has agreed to help her find the murderer of her husband but he intends to make her pay.

The Edge of Desire is an entertaining, well-crafted book. Her characters and their motivations are fully developed and the mystery is carefully and seamlessly woven into a passionate love story. Laurens has a gift for writing highly detailed bedroom scenes that are beautifully erotic without being cheap or tawdry. This book is a must read.

4 stars

Buy: The Edge of Desire