Heartbroken and scorned a young divorcee steals a packet of incriminating letters from her ex-husband but can find nobody who will believe that they are not vindictive forgeries. Shunned by society she runs away to the continent where she becomes a ruinously expensive whore.
Five years later government agents believe her ex-husband may be in league with Napoleon but the only proof is in those letters and she refuses to hand them over.
A retiring spy is sent to Venice to ‘acquire’ the packet of letters from the notorious courtesan. A veteran thief and unparalleled lover he anticipates a quick job. But he doesn’t count on falling in love with the very independent and unrepentant harlot.
It soon becomes apparent that he is not the only one searching for the letters and they must risk both their lives and their love for King and Country.
This was a delightful historical romance. In a genre populated by prim misses and feisty innocents it was refreshing to find a heroine who is both a fallen woman and happy about it. The heroine is a courtesan and she behaves like one-sizing up men by the depths of their wallets and making sure the hero has no illusions as to who she is and what she does.
Both the lead characters were very well rounded, their histories convincing and the romance between the two of them utterly believable.
There is a bit of incidental humour that the author has the good sense not to labour. The hit and run style had me chuckling and reading parts out loud.
A very good read for those open to romance in unexpected places and an excellent read for lovers of historical romance. Highly recommended-Lynn
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