4 out of 5 stars
A NECESSARY DECEPTION is the second book I’ve read from Laurie Alice Eakes, and was definitely the better of the two.
Lady Gale believes her time for love is over. After the death of her husband in the war with the French, and her suspicions that he wasn’t true to her, Lydia decides her life would be better spent seeing her two sisters introduced into London society. After her sisters are accepted into London’s upper crust, she plans to travel back to her simple cottage, paint the landscapes of her life, and continue a quiet existence.
All her plans are dashed when she encounters Frenchman Christien de Meuse for a second time. Thinking him a friend of her deceased husband, Lydia had arranged for his release from prison. But, her feelings of indebtedness are soon turned to betrayal when he shows up in London and she is blackmailed into introducing him to the elite circles of London. Though told he is a double agent trying to head off a plot against the English government, she does not believe him. But, when her family is the target of threats if she does not comply, she has no choice but to go along with Christien’s plan or see her family ruined.
Struggling against the tyranny of her autocratic father and the folly of her younger sisters, Lydia is beside herself. But her turmoil is never greater than when thinking of Christien de Meuse, and the feelings that are emerging inside her heart without her permission. She wants nothing more than to trust him and give into the desires of her heart. But just when she is ready to give into her thoughts of love, she questions his allegiance and pushes him away. As danger mounts for both England and Lydia’s family, she must decide who she will trust, and if that trust will lead to destruction of her family.
A NECESSARY DECEPTION was a good balance of intrigue and romance. I liked the strength and persistence of Lydia’s character though at times–as the Lady she was– she would falter and do what was expected of her instead of what her conscience was telling her. The character of Christien was suave and mysterious, and Cassandra and Honore were quite the handful to take care of. In all, the book was enjoyable to read. Slow at times, and maybe a few too many rabbit trails, but all in all, I will make sure and keep my eye out for the second installment in The Daughters of Bainbridge House series.
Book provided for review purposes.
“Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
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