Devilish

January 3, 2000
Beverley (Secrets of the Night) will delight readers with the fifth installment in her series of historical romance novels centered around the Mallorens, a dashing, aristocratic English family. Bey Malloren, the Marquess of Rothgar (who was introduced previously in the series), finds his match in the forward-thinking, sharpshooting Diana Westmount, Countess of Arradale. The wealthy heroine has voluntarily relinquished a future as wife and mother in order to keep control of her money and fully realize her power and rank in 18th-century Yorkshire. When King George III learns of her desire to take a seat in Parliament, he orders her to London with the intention of forcing her into wedlock with an appropriate suitor. Diana finds a traveling companion and unlikely ally in the powerful "Dark Marquess," and her resolve against family life falters. Though Rothgar is mightily attracted to Diana, he has sworn off marriage for fear of passing the curse of his mother's murderous insanity to his own children. The romantic tug-of-war is set against a lively backdrop of international intrigue, although an assassination subplot plays out unevenly. The love story fails to burn bright with emotion, but the intelligence and large-scale appeal of Beverley's characters ensure a satisfying escape.