Stevie‘s review of Unmasked by the Marquess (The Regency Impostors, Book 1) by Cat Sebastian
Historical Genderfluid and Bisexual Roamnce published by Avon Impulse 17 Apr 18
I’ve seen a lot more novels with non-genderconforming characters over the past couple of years, not that there were many before that – and next to none from mainstream publishers. So it always makes me happy to see another such novel appear on my radar, whether from a new-to-me author or from one whose books I’ve previously enjoyed. In this case, Cat Sebastian kicks off a whole new historical series with a story about an unexpected romance between two characters who manage to defy the conventions of their time, and quite possibly those of most other eras too.
Alistair de Lacey inherited the marquisate of Pembroke from his father, along with some hefty debts and a number of inconvenient relatives – and other persons – with claims on his time and resources. As a result of that legacy, and the memory of previous Marquess’s reputations, he is determined to be the embodiment of propriety. However, he also feels obliged to fulfil his father’s promises – such as making sure his half-sisters from an illicit relationship are married well. Just as he’s figuring out how to accomplish that task, Alistair receives an unexpected visitor: Robert Selby, who claims that his younger sister was a god-daughter of Alistair’s late father and now also needs help in securing a husband.
Alistair agrees to help and soon finds himself spending more and more time with Robert, to whom he is inconveniently attracted, introducing the newcomer around town, and inviting him to social gatherings. Robert, however, is not exactly whom he claims to be: the real Robert Selby died two years before, having lived a quiet life on his estate while his good friend, former housemaid Charity Church, attended university on his behalf and received the education she cared far more about than did the real Robert. Still mourning Robert, Charity wants only to see his sister well settled – Robert died without making sufficient provision for her in his will – after which she plans to find a way for the estate to revert to the rightful heir and then to make her own way in the world one way or another. It’s just as inconvenient for her as that the man most able to help accomplish her aims is as attractive as he is attracted to her, especially since Charity has no intention of returning to conventional feminine behaviour once her time as Robert has ended.
I really enjoyed this book. The secondary romance involving Robert’s sister got a little convoluted at times, and I’d have liked to see a little less of that in favour of seeing more about how Alistair and Charity/Robert negotiated their relationship. There were some fabulous other secondary characters, though. I particularly liked Robert’s valet, who had joined the unconventional household early in Robert’s university career, and had secrets of his own that Charity was happy to keep in return for his continuing her and Robert’s deception. The rightful heir to the Selby estate made a good antagonist, and the elderly aunt brought in as chaperone to Robert’s sister showed a delightfully amoral streak at times. All in all a fun read, and I’m keen to see where this series goes next.
Grade: B
Summary:
The one you love…
Robert Selby is determined to see his sister make an advantageous match. But he has two problems: the Selbys have no connections or money and Robert is really a housemaid named Charity Church. She’s enjoyed every minute of her masquerade over the past six years, but she knows her pretense is nearing an end. Charity needs to see her beloved friend married well and then Robert Selby will disappear…forever.
May not be who you think…
Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke, has spent years repairing the estate ruined by his wastrel father, and nothing is more important than protecting his fortune and name. He shouldn’t be so beguiled by the charming young man who shows up on his doorstep asking for favors. And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking of all the disreputable things he’d like to do to the impertinent scamp.
But is who you need…
When Charity’s true nature is revealed, Alistair knows he can’t marry a scandalous woman in breeches, and Charity isn’t about to lace herself into a corset and play a respectable miss. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they’ve always wanted for a love that is more than they could have imagined?
No excerpt found.
