"Reading this Georgian Romance was a Pure and Wicked Pleasure!"
I thoroughly enjoy the work of best-selling author Jo
Beverley. SOMETHING WICKED, the third of five in
this Georgian series about the Malloren family, is not only
my favorite book of the series to date; it is my favorite
Beverley book over-all. Lady Elf Malloren 25, and her twin Lord Cynric, are the
youngest of the five Malloren siblings. Her only sister
Hilda, two years her senior, was safely married off in her
teens. Somewhat wilder for being allowed to join in her
male twin's adventures, Lady Elf finds herself firmly on
the shelf romancewise. No doubt some of this is due to her
over protective older brothers, not the least of whom is
the imposing Marquee of Rothgar. At times Elf has found
their hovering a bit stifling. When the opportunity presents itself, Elf takes fate into
her own hands. Cyn has just married the scandalous
Chastity Ware, and her remaining siblings are all
conveniently away from home. She attends a masquerade at
Vaux Hall hoping for some excitement. While wondering along
one of the secluded paths designated for clandestine
meetings. she overhears a dastardly plot. She is noticed
and persued. Her only way out of this bad situation is to
through herself on the mercy of the one man who has reason
to hate her family most. Fortitude Ware has no love for anything Malloren. We get a
glimpse of his cruel upbringing and callous treatment by
the Mallorens in MY LADY NOTORIOUS, the first book of the
Malloren series. His sister's marriage to Elf's twin has
not softened his attitude. In fact it is at their wedding
that he is forced into an action that has made him hate the
Mallorens with a passion. The reader gets the impression that Elf has always been
intrigued by Fort, and as she puts it, it is not surprising
that twins should have similar tastes. She had gotten into
the habit of baiting him at every meeting. The masked Elf, knowing Fort would have nothing to do with
her if he knew of her true identity, introduces herself as
Lisette. Fort, intrigued by the woman's audacity, rescues
her and offers her a tantalizing proposition, as he is
currently without a mistress. Elf manages to elude his
attentions but then has second thoughts. If she is to die
and old maid, she would take one night in the arms of the
earl of her dreams. She has one condition, that she remain
masked. Fort indulges her whim, but their assignation
becomes perilous when the two are captured while sleeping,
by the men Elf had overheard plotting treason. They awaken imprisoned in a dark basement with no means of
escape. Not knowing their fate, Fort bares his soul to this
mystery woman that he is inexplicably attracted to. Danger
adds fuel to their passion. Their rescue proves to be more
of a curse than a blessing when Fort learns the identity of
his masked lover. He is furious at being duped, and
devastated at exposing his vulnerability to his enemy. Elf
has fallen in love. The Mallorens and Ware work together to apprehend the
criminals. Fort suffers an injury which confines him to his
bed. Elf utilizes this time to try to win him over, but
Fort isn't read to examine his turbulent feelings for
her. His pride won't allow it, and her brothers refuse to
help her feeling that the family has done enough damage to
the man. Though she cannot believe that she could love so deeply and
not have that love returned, she concludes that loving Fort
means putting his happiness above her own. She resigns
herself to letting him find his own way even if it means
she will lose him. Will the next masquerade determine her
fate? I do so love a dark and wounded hero. This story was pure
wicked pleasure. July 1997
Copyright 1997
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted March 21, 2002
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