Her Scandalous Intentions

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 11 NOV. 2002

With its conventional plot and cookie-cutter protagonists, Robins's Regency-era debut doesn't break any new ground, but fans of romance-cum-espionage adventures will take pleasure in the characters' easy banter and daring escapades. James Morgan, a duke who is now spying for the Crown, finds himself in a quandary after he mistakes sweet, charitable Charlotte Hastings for a traitorous thief intent on financing Napoleon's restoration to power. James intends to wring a confession from Charlotte during a weekend party, but when he is caught in her room, he claims she's his betrothed in order to save her reputation. Believing James may be a traitor, Charlotte initially refuses to go along with his charade, so he kidnaps her and endures several groin injuries before the avuncular General Cumseby, a friend to both, sets the matter to rights. Though the two no longer suspect one another, they still have their pretend betrothal, which proves useful as they join forces to ferret out the real villain. James and Charlotte spend as much time working together as they do arguing, but their silent caring for one another shines through even when they're at odds. Neither a humorous romp nor a saga, this will appeal to readers who enjoy steely heroes and strong-willed heroines who give as good as they get.