The Lost Lieutenant

On fate, love, and destiny

When I first saw this book I had to look twice at the cover. I had read The Earl’s Betrothal by Karen Tuft just the month before and was surprised by the covers being nearly identical. The stories have a few similarities as well.

Both heroes are soldiers recently returned to England after the Battle of Salamanca and both suffer from PTSD with recurring nightmares. There also are adorable tots in the stories and the main lady and gentleman are forced to wed under different circumstances. I firmly believe these are coincidental similarities as the rest of each book’s plot is unique. I hope you read both these elegantly written Regency novels.

Evan Eldridge is just a commoner. While recovering from a traumatic injury, he receives a request to appear before the Prince Regent as reward for saving the Prince’s godson. He has no recollection of most of the battle or saving Percival Seaton. The Prince doesn’t just offer him his appreciation but grants him an earldom as reward for his heroic deed.

At court, Evan meets the lovely Diana Seaton, Percival’s sister and the daughter of a duke, who is being introduced to the Queen as her entrance into Society. He is befriended by Marcus Haverly who is the second son of a Duke. With his new friend’s help and further assistance from the Prince, Evan is introduced into Society where he meets Diana again.

He also meets Percival whose lewd friend Viscount Fitzroy ruined Diana’s sister last Season leaving Catherine broken and with child. These rakes try to tempt Evan in joining them in their leacherous pursuits

“Surely such infidelity couldn’t be acceptable in a society so strict about everyone’s actions.”

After Catherine was compromised, her father sent her to the countryside to hide her shame. She begged Diana to raise the baby, Cian, as her own and protect him from the duke before she died shortly after giving birth.

The duke threatens to send the baby to an orphanage if Diana ever crosses his wishes. He schemes to get ahold of half of Diana’s inheritance her grandmother willed to Diana’s future husband.

Evan attends Almack’s the first time that same night upsetting the duke’s plans. Unaware of all the rules, Evan attempts to save Diana from the demeaning attentions of Fitzroy by drawing her into a waltz without permission. The Prince appears at this interesting juncture and unwittingly saves both Evan and Diana from censure through his approval. He is struck by new inspiration and “suggests” the Earl of Whitelock, Evan, propose to Lady Diana.

The Duke of Seaton is outraged by the proposal and the ensuing engagement. His anger and abuse terrify Diana. Evan is shocked the duke would strike Diana and insists they marry within seven days to protect her from suffering more abuse. Diana is afraid to trust any men after living with her father and half brother, Percival.

The Prince invites himself to their wedding feast and announces how rich Evan now is because of Diana’s inheritance. He also invites himself to visit the new Earl and Countess of Whitelock, Evan and Diana, at their country estate in a couple months time.

Diana hides her nephew in a basket when they leave for the countryside secretly removing him from the duke’s residence. She claims the baby is her maid’s child when he discovers her hungrily crying nephew.

The Prince’s impending visit makes it essential that Evan and Diana prepare their new home. The inheritance will be necessary to accomplish everything needed. Neither Evan nor Diana, nor Evan’s army friend, now employed as estate manager, are prepared for how derelict their new estate has become.

Evan’s worst fear is being sent to an asylum if anyone learns of his flashbacks, loss of memory, and nightmares. There is something mysterious about what he cannot remember that of course is vitally important.

Diana’s secret about the baby’s real identity is revealed abruptly one night. Before she finds the courage to tell Evan, the baby becomes deathly ill.

Just as things are beginning to improve, disaster shows up at Whitelock. The fate of many lives rests on the decisions Evan and Diana make.

I was joyfully surprised by The Lost Lieutenant! The painful episodes I anticipated were different than I anticipated. This tale of compassion, faith, endurance, and trust is an entrancing read. I hope you enjoy reading it!

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.