SCANDAL IN THE NIGHT - Elizabeth Essex
A Reckless Bride Novel, Book 3
St. Martin's Paperbacks
ISBN-10: 1-250-00381-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-250-00381-2
July 2013
Historical Romance

Winbourne Chase, Hampshire, England 1830

Thomas Jellico, third son of the Earl of Sanderson, returns to the house of his brother, Viscount Jeffrey, after fifteen years with the East India Company. He served as a spy for the company, blending into the native population as Tanvir Singh, a horse trader. Near the end of his time there, he fell in love with a Scottish miss, Catriona Rowan, and Catriona seemed to return his love even though he was disguised as a native. Then her aunt and uncle were murdered and the blame placed on Catriona. Thomas exposed his identity to clear her name, saying (the truth) she had been with him and (the lie) that they were secretly betrothed. Yet Catriona disappeared. He searched fruitlessly for her for a long time. As he enters his brother's house and joins his family on the lawn, whom does he see but Catriona! Only she is now Miss Anne Cates, the children's governess. Within minutes someone tries to shoot her. Has trouble followed him home from India?

Catriona had escaped Scotland for India, and escaped India for England. Now she has a different identity to prevent injury to her aunt and uncle's children. Tanvir Singh, the man who abandoned her, appears as the Englishman Thomas Jellico, much to her surprise, shock, and fright. Can their love overcome their lies, deceptions, and misunderstandings? Even if they do, can they elude their enemy?

This story has a very inventive premise, and certainly takes the reader to far-away India. The villain is well crafted, and one readers will love to hate. Catriona is considered unusual even among her peers in India, but the handsome Tanvir and his beautiful mare captivate her. Thomas returns rich, and from his experiences, a forceful man who will ignore expected courtesy when he deems it necessary. They are both interesting well-rounded characters. Yet the story does not flow well. The time frame covers a few days in England, but the numerous lengthy flashbacks of both characters to what happened in India interrupted their encounters and slowed reading. I found this disrupting even though I liked the story. If you are looking for a sumptuously elegant novel filled with both emotional and physical danger, one that will immerse you in the story, and enjoy the back and forth flow of time, you will love this novel.

Robin Lee