A Proper Deception

Penniless and tainted by scandal, Miss Laura Courtenay must resort to any means necessary to provide for herself and her toddler brother. Coerced into participating in an ill-fated scheme, Laura finds herself in London's Newgate prison where an unexpected visitor offers her temporary freedom if she plays the part of his wife. She agrees, seeing it as an opportunity to perhaps prove her innocence.

As stipulated in his grandfather's will, Lord Evan Clarke must marry by his thirtieth birthday in order to become the Earl of Stonefield and take his place in the House of Lords. As the deadline looms, he concocts a ploy to fulfill the will's stipulations. However, Evan quickly discovers his marriage of convenience includes a little boy, a growing attraction to the wife he must soon return to Newgate, and the horrifying realization he'd witnessed her father's financial ruin.

EDITORIAL REVIEW by Victoria Chatham

The Honorable Laura Courtenay is living in conditions no lady should endure. Responsible not only for her own well-being but also for that of her three-year-old brother, Reuben, Laura earns a small income sewing and mending for several households. The son of one of her clients lures her into a dubious scheme, promising her a tempting sum. The scheme fails, and Laura is imprisoned.

Evan Clarke needs a wife to fulfil the requirements of his grandfather's will, not so much for the inheritance as for the title that will allow him to take his seat in the House of Lords. He plucks Laura from the horrors of Newgate Prison, makes her presentable, and introduces her as his wife to his grandfather's lawyer, who does not believe they are married.

Within this story, A.M. Westerling not only highlights the plight of women in the Regency era but also captures the sights, sounds, and nuances of its society. Her characters are well-rounded, and the plot has several twists, making it a satisfying read from start to finish. Anyone who enjoys Regency romances in the style of Mary Balogh or Julia Quinn is sure to enjoy this one.