Stevie‘s review of Lady Rogue (Royal Rewards, Book 3) by Theresa Romain
Historical Romance published by Zebra 24 Apr 18
Although the main mystery of the Royal Rewards stories seemed to get wrapped up in the second book of the series, there seemed to me at the time to be quite a lot more adventures for the characters to have. Now the series has been restarted (or spun off) with the first of what promises to be at least two more books featuring both familiar and new characters. This time, an antagonist of sorts (definitely not the villain of the piece, though) from the first two books takes centre stage as a protagonist in his own right.
Bow Street Runner – or Officer of the Police, to give him his correct title – Callum Jenks has returned to London after solving the Royal Rewards mystery, not entirely to his satisfaction; no one has been convicted or punished for the death of Callum’s brother in the original theft. Feeling uncertain of his next move, he is intrigued to be invited to the setting of another former investigation: the home of Lady Isabel Morrow. Callum and Isabel first met when her husband committed suicide and Callum was the attending officer, shortly after which the pair had a brief fling. The affair ended amicably, although each still harbours feelings for the other, and now Isabel needs Callum’s help again.
Isabel’s husband ostensibly made his money buying and selling valuable paintings, but following his death she has discovered that many, if not most, of those sales were of forgeries, with the real paintings stored in a secret room of the house. Now, one of the victims of that deception is planning to sell his painting in order to clear gambling debts, and Isabel is certain that the forgery will be discovered, leading to ostracisation for herself and her young ward, her late husband’s cousin. Isabel was unhappy in her marriage – hence the fling with Callum early in her widowhood – and she is determined that her ward should make a better match than she did, one with a man that truly cares for her.
Isabel proposes that Callum help her steal back the forgery, replacing it with the original version from her husband’s hidden collection, so preventing any scandal and enabling Isabel to see her ward settled and then decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life. She has no real plan for that, but is certain that a new marriage is not part of it, no matter how much she and Callum seem to be enjoying each other’s company once again.
I really enjoyed this book. The heist caper was a lot of fun, as were Callum’s family when we finally got to meet them. There was also a serious side to the story, involving a subplot regarding Isabel’s ward and her real thoughts on the plan to find a husband for her. I also greatly enjoyed meeting the paintings’ forger and observing his attempts to be recognised by society as an artist in his own right – going against the expectations of the aristocracy on account of his background. All in all a fine novel, and I’m now eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
Grade: A
Summary:
As far as London’s high society knows, Lady Isabel Morrow is above reproach. But the truth is rarely so simple. Though the young widow’s passionate fling with dashing Bow Street Runner Callum Jenks ended amicably months ago, she now needs his expertise. It seems Isabel’s late husband, a respected art dealer, was peddling forgeries. If those misdeeds are revealed, the marriage prospects of his younger cousin — now Isabel’s ward — will be ruined.
For the second time, Isabel has upended Callum’s well-ordered world. He’s resolved to help her secretly replace the forgeries with the real masterpieces, as a… friend. A proper sort of friend doesn’t burn with desire, of course, or steal kisses on twilight errands. Or draw a willing lady into one passionate encounter after another. Isabel’s scheme is testing Callum’s heart as well as his loyalties. But with pleasure so intoxicating, the real crime would be to resist…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
