Series:
Lyon's Den (Book 46)
An indiscretion, a scandalous game of truth or dare, and
the prize -- a coveted kiss -- threaten her future, but this is one game she
cannot quit.
Spencer Wright-Smythe, antiquities hunter and Baron of
Kilverstone has something of a rakish reputation. So when he's introduced to
Miss Porthenia Steere, she's instantly on her guard, even though the attraction
she feels is almost overwhelming. She resists his impudence as she's determined
to marry for love, to a man who's good and true.
If only things were that simple. For Thenie has already
set the cat among the pigeons by spreading a scurrilous rumor about herself in
order to avoid a betrothal, and it won't be long before all Society knows of
her supposed indiscretion. Will her two younger sisters be hurt by her
impulsiveness and prevented from marrying well too?
Then there's the temptation of Spencer, who's somehow
always near. He challenges her to a game of truth or dare -- if she loses,
he'll claim a kiss.
It's hard to say no since she's never been kissed before.
So far, this is my least favorite of the Lyon's Den
books. My biggest complaint is that Mrs. Dove-Lyons barely makes an appearance,
and the description of the Den is far off that of the other books. There was an
unexpected revelation regarding her that I didn't see coming.
I also found the romance somewhat lacking. Thenie is
unhappy with the suitor she has, and to discourage him, she implies she has
kissed someone else. He responds by trashing her reputation. Thenie didn't
think ahead to realize that her actions could affect her younger sisters'
chances at a good marriage. Enter Spencer, a friend of her cousin Lottie, and
her husband Grey.
Spencer is an antiquities hunter in Athens, dealing with
the fallout from unscrupulous hunters like Lord Elgin. When his friends Lottie
and Grey show up and ask him to return to England with them, he agrees.
Lottie and Grey clearly intend for Spencer to be Thenie's
rescuer, but they neglect to fill her in on their plan. Spencer, who has a reputation
as a rake, immediately gets on her wrong side with his overly charming ways and
flirtatiousness. As a student of antiquities herself, she isn't sure what side
of responsible hunting he falls on and doesn't bother to ask.
But Thenie can't avoid Spencer's company, and the more
time she spends around him, the more her antagonism turns to attraction.
Spencer's method of using a series of "truth or dare" questions is an
interesting way of getting to know her. However, Thenie is strangely
uncooperative, choosing dares instead of answering simple questions. I liked
that Spencer was persistent, as he had already realized that Thenie was the one
for him. But it seemed to take forever for her to realize that she loved him.
I liked the epilogue, which shows that they are truly
happy and well-suited to each other.
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