DOUBLE DECEIT

Author: Emily Hendrickson ISBN: 978070982170 11/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD
Time Period: Regency

Miss Caroline Beauchamp had accepted a very tricky task. She must seduce Lord Hugh Stanhope, the handsome husband of her dearest friend, Mary Stanhope, in order to break the hold that an infamous beauty had on the vulnerable viscount. But she also faced an even greater challenge. She had to bedazzle the most renowned rake in the realm, Lord Rutledge, to keep him from making Mary his latest conquest. Caroline knew as she began her juggling act of deception that letting down her guard would mean disaster. And falling in love would be even worse....

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

DOUBLE DECEIT by Emily Hendrickson is a tale of intrigue, deception and love set amongst ball gowns and the peerage. One of the most interesting things about this story is that it doesn't always show the peerage in the best light. It is more realistic than many Regencies, letting some of its characters have traits that are unflattering, but realistically human.

Caroline has set out to juggle two men at one time, but for very different reasons. It is a feat requiring great skill and some measure of luck. It is a task that leaves little room for losing one's heart, but that's exactly what happens to Caroline. Daring to care about Giles is maybe the trickiest part of Caro's deception.

Emily Hendrickson has written an intriguing story which doesn't gloss over some of the trivial points of life. In leaving them in the story, and letting the characters comment on them, she has added depth to this that brings a certain degree of complexity to the tale. I smiled at some of the dialogue, thinking an expectant mother should think "beautiful thoughts" would appear to be good advice anytime. The internal monologue is amusing, as well, especially Caro's thoughts on becoming a man's doxy. And there is a scene in a carriage that, although discreet, is very erotic.

I thought DOUBLE DECEIT wonderfully engaging, amusing way to spend a snowy afternoon.

Kay James