London 1802

Scarcely a week after her own daughter's satisfying marriage, Sophia, Countess of Dalby, at one time the most famous courtesan in London, is approached by another young lady in need of help, Lady Louisa Kirkland. At her come-out two years ago, Louisa settled on Lord Dutton as her future husband. For two years she has been putting herself in his path waiting for him to be charmed by her beauty and wit, two attributes she does, indeed, possess, even though her hair is decidedly red and her bosom only moderate in size. For most of that time, Louisa has been helped by her good friend, Lord Henry Blakeley, fourth son of the Duke of Hyde. Henry provides her with intelligence concerning Dutton's social schedule and is an amusing escort. But Louisa has not yet won interest from Dutton. Lady Dalby cleverly maneuvered her daughter into a happy marriage; Louisa reasons she can do the same for her.

Lady Dalby agrees to help Louisa, but perhaps Louisa should have paid more attention to detail....

A fascinating continuing character was born in THE COURTESAN'S DAUGHTER when Sophia, Lady Dalby was introduced. Sophia was well known before marriage to the late earl brought her into Society. His name and her own charm and vibrant personality won her acceptance in all but the most prudish circles. Readers can only watch with delight as Sophia manipulates those around her until she provides suitably happy endings for them.

THE COURTESAN'S SECRET introduces many other characters surely in need of Sophia's subtle machinations. There is Louisa's cousin, Lady Amelia, a sweet young lady who is entirely focused on marrying a duke -- any duke -- and her bosom is much more than adequate. And a number of eligible dukes and future dukes are available, the future duke being Lord Henry's eldest brother.

Sophia's own son Markham, the current earl of Dalby, is too young for marriage as yet, and so is Lady Amelia's brother, the ever-so-indolent Marquess of Hawkesworth. Lady Louisa has an interesting sixteen-year-old sister one can't help but speculate about. At the moment, though, she's fascinated by Sophia's nephews. And who isn't? It's clear they are a most happy product of English and American Indian blood, gentlemen with a touch of savage! Then there are Lord Penwith, famous for his green eyes and dangerously seductive voice, and Lord Ruan, a consummate flirt given to double entendre, but perhaps his eyes are on Sophia herself, for she is still young, beautiful, and possessed of a certain something that attracts men.

THE COURTESAN'S SECRET is filled with subtle conversations and inner thoughts to which one needs to pay close attention. In fact, the novel could be said to be more of an intellectual exercise than an emotional one. Just as the aristocracy of those days refrained from displays of emotion, Ms. Dain's writing is also restrained (except for certain sensual passages and the avidity of the ton's thirst for gossip). Louisa and her father, Lord Melverley, detest each other; we know there is a story behind that, but it isn't until the last pages that we learn what it is. While Louisa is the heroine in this romance, it is Sophia who holds one's eye as her complexities are slowly unraveled. For a highly unconventional nineteenth-century historical romance, I highly recommend THE COURTESAN'S SECRET.

Jane Bowers